Saffery Rotary Walk announces '2020-2021' plans

Monday 07 December 2020

Organisers have confirmed that the Round Island Walk will be back in June next year “bigger and better than ever before”.

In recognition of the challenges islanders have faced this year - which led to the 2020 Walk being cancelled - next year’s edition will be known as “The Saffery Rotary Walk 2020-2021”.

“A number of innovations are planned to celebrate the Walk’s return to the Island calendar," said Organising Committee Chair Simon Milsted. 

“Taking the decision to cancel the 2020 Walk was very difficult, and disappointing for all those involved from our volunteers and sponsors to the benefitting charities and the walkers who had planned to take part.

"We are grateful to all those who have helped us to keep the spirit of the Walk alive in a year when it could not go ahead. We, therefore, intend to make the 2020-2021 Walk an event celebrating our supporters’ and the Island’s resilience and fortitude.”

Pictured: It is not yet know whether the traditional route up the Cow's Horn steps, captured here in 2019, will be possible next year due to the land slippage.

Supporting more than 20 local charities each year, the Walk is a mainstay of the Guernsey charity fundraising calendar. Despite the Walk’s pandemic-enforced cancellation this year, 10 of the 22 charities chosen as beneficiaries of the 2020 Saffery Rotary Walk have still received funds.

£17,500 was raised thanks to the generosity of registered walkers, corporate sponsors Saffery Champness, who have honoured their commitments to the Walk, and additional donations, including a substantial donation from travel organisation ABTA.

The remaining 12 charities will receive funding from the 2020-2021 Walk in June, which Organising Committee Member Lisa Vizia hopes will be one of the best to date. 

"This year has undoubtedly been a challenging time for charities, especially for those who rely on fundraising events like the Walk," said the Saffery Champness Director. "We’re excited to bring it back next year to really give our benefitting charities a boost. We encourage anyone who is interested in taking part to sign-up, whether that be as an individual, or as a group or relay team made up of family, friends or colleagues.”

Early-bird registration opens today ahead of the event’s return on Saturday 5 June 2021. Further information and a link to the Walk’s registration can be found HERE.

Pictured top: The Walk’s Patron His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor Sir Ian Corder completing the Walk this year on behalf of those who were unable to participate in 2020, along with two Lieutenant-Governor cadets - Jacob Brady and Jack Vaudin - and his son Alex Corder.