Sign Up for Martlets “Only Men Allowed” Charity Walk
The Martlets Hospice is urging men across the City to sign up to take part in a 13 mile sponsored walk along the beautiful Sussex coast on Sunday 19th October. The women of Brighton & Hove raised £70,000 for the Hospice at their 2014 Midnight Walk, so now event organisers are encouraging the men of the city to show what they can do in their very own walk!
The walk called “Only Men Allowed” is open to men and boys of all ages.
There is also a shorter route of four miles on offer so that everyone, whatever their fitness level, can take part. The Martlets organisers are hoping that this option will persuade grandads, dads and sons and nephews to walk together.
One man who is taking on the challenge is David Boxall of Peacehaven. Despite being 82 year’s old he will be tackling the 13 mile route on Sunday 19th October. David intends to make short work of the event as he walks or runs10 miles most days.
Speaking about why he wants to support the Martlets Hospice David said: “My dear wife Sonya used to volunteer at the Martlets Shop in Peacehaven and she got enormous pleasure from working with them. Despite being poorly, she always came back happy after a day in the shop. I wanted to do something to say thank you to the Martlets and it means a lot to me to be able to support this charity. I’m looking forward to wearing my Martlets T shirt with pride.”
Both walks will start at the County Cricket Ground in Hove at 11.00am. The longer walk heads along the coast to Saltdean Lido for a refreshment pit stop before heading back to the Cricket Ground for a well-earned pie and drink. Those doing the shorter route will turn around at the Brighton Pier. Well behaved dogs are also welcome and will get their own treat at the end of the day.
The walk on the 19th of October will be the sixth 13 mile sponsored walk for men that has been organised specifically to raise funds for The Martlets Hospice. To register online go to www.themartlets.org.uk/men or contact the Martlets Fundraising Office on 01273 964200.
Antonia Shepherd, Events Manager at the Martlets said “This event has always been very enjoyable, with many regular walkers. This year we are encouraging and asking men and boys to give up a just a few hours on a Sunday to raise much-needed funds for their local hospice. Many local men will know someone that the Hospice has cared for and their participation in the walk will ensure that care can be provided for others in the future. We always need to remind people that the Martlets cares for people affected by terminal illness living in and around Brighton & Hove. Services are provided free of charge but as less than a third of our funding comes from the NHS, we rely on the support of everybody in the community to help with fundraising”.
