Walk the Wight has long been regarded as the largest annual fund raising event on the Island. This year just under 10,000 people walked the Wight, including 2000 children from 51 Island schools. When final figures are available in August, it is hoped that last years figure of £217,000 will have been exceeded, and money raised will be used for patient care at The Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
We will continue to support Island events and update this page as soon as next year's dates are announced.
For more information visit the walkthewight website
The event is the brainchild of two local walkers, Frank Stevens and the late Bill Bradley. Whilst enjoying one of their regular walks over the downs, they decided to find some likeminded souls and walk from one end of the island to the other and raise some money for local charities at the same time.
In the early days there were no support teams or sponsors, but as the years passed the numbers participating grew from around 25 to thousands. Assistance was urgently needed, and a committee was formed within the Hospice to manage all aspects of the walk. The support services and marshalling were handled by the Rotary Club. Meanwhile, local businesses have joined the original sponsor Moreys to provide much needed behind the scenes help.
The main walk is from Bembridge to Alum Bay, a total of 26 miles, although there are 2 smaller walks built in to the main route. This year there is also a "flat walk" for those with mobility issues or pushchairs who want to be involved.
Walk the Wighters get free bus travel to the walks. Just show your walkers number to the driver when you board the bus.
Main walk - Bembridge to Alum Bay
buses from West Wight to Bembridge
0645 from Freshwater Bay( outside HF Holidays)
0655 Freshwater Royal Standard
0700 Totland War Memorial
0715 Yarmouth Bus Station
Then direct to Bembridge
buses from Newport bus station to Bembridge
buses run from 0615 until 0745
bus from Ryde to Bembridge
0700 from Ryde Bus Station
bus from Cowes to Bembridge
0715 at Cowes Co-op
bus from East Cowes to Bembridge
0700 from Ferry terminal
bus from Sandown to Bembridge
0715 from he Heights bus stop
Flat walk - Sandown to Shide
There will be a shuttle service between Morrisons Lake and Sandown High School from 0900 until 1100
From 1200 until 1600 a shuttle service will pick up at Shide National Tyres and return to Sandown/Lake via Merstone.
Carisbrooke
From 1000 there will be a bus for retirees to be taken back to Newport Bus Station.
Childrens Walk - Freshwater to Alum Bay
bus from Alum Bay to Freshwater
0930 from the car park prior to Alum Bay
Alum Bay finishing line
Buses will be available from 1500 to Newport Bus Station via Carisbrooke Priory.
The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is the only hospice on the Isle of Wight and cares for over 800 patients with life-threatening conditions every year. The hospiceís aim is to provide patients with the best quality of life possible. The service is entirely free for patients and is partly funded by the PCT, but mostly from fundraising. This is achieved by donations, proceeds from charity shops, gifts in wills, a weekly lottery, and events like this.
Walk the Wight is the Hospice's biggest event and raises over 10% of the funding they need, making a huge difference for the patients under their care.
If you would like to know more then visit the official
Earl Mountbatten Hospice website