Sixteen Bailiwick charities share more than £100,000 from Saffery Rotary Walk
- Sixteen Bailiwick charities have received a share of more than £100,000 raised by the 2026 Saffery Rotary Walk
- More than 1,000 participants completed the 39-mile coastal route despite challenging weather conditions including wind and rain
- The final finishers, a family group of four, completed the walk in more than 16 hours, crossing the line at 8.43pm
- Funds were presented at Government House by Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell KBE CB
- Applications for the 2027 Walk open on 19 October, with the event scheduled for Saturday 12 June
Sixteen charities across the Bailiwick have shared more than £100,000 raised by this year's Saffery Rotary Walk, with funds presented at a ceremony held at Government House on Thursday evening.
His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell KBE CB, hosted the presentation event, which recognised the efforts of more than 1,000 participants who completed the annual fundraising challenge.
Walkers faced challenging weather conditions throughout the event, tackling wind and rain as they navigated a diverted route around the island's 39-mile coastal path. Despite the difficulties, organisers reported that the turnout and atmosphere matched previous years.
Participants had the option of completing the full solo walk, joining relay teams, or taking part in the Family Walk. Those attempting the complete route set off from the former Visitor Information Centre at 4.30am, with the final finishers — a family group of four — crossing the line at 8.43pm after more than 16 hours on foot.
Walk Chairman Simon Milsted praised the determination shown by participants in the face of adverse conditions.
"We threw everything at those walkers this year - wind, rain and a diverted route. Nobody turned round. People were laughing about it at the checkpoints, sharing out dry socks, waiting for each other. That is the Walk in a nutshell, and I have never been prouder of a turnout," he said.
Milsted highlighted the significance of the distribution ceremony for the charities receiving funding.
"Tonight is the bit that makes all of it worthwhile. Sixteen organisations are going home with the money, and every one of them will put it straight to work. Thank you to every walker, every marshal, every volunteer and everyone who sponsored a friend or stood out in that weather to cheer," he said.
Lisa Vizia, Director at Saffery Trust, the event's main sponsor, emphasised the importance of the Walk beyond its fundraising totals.
"Supporting the Saffery Rotary Walk is one of the most meaningful things we do, and this year proved exactly why. It is not just about the fundraising. It is about the hundreds of people who turned up at half past four in the morning in less than favourable conditions and got on with it anyway," she said.
Vizia outlined Saffery Trust's involvement extends beyond financial sponsorship, with staff members volunteering throughout the event.
"As well as our main sponsorship, we play an active role in organising the Walk, with colleagues giving their time as volunteers throughout, from packing night to managing the finish line on the day. It is this partnership with Rotary that has helped the Walk become one of the most significant dates in Guernsey's fundraising calendar," she said.
The Saffery Rotary Walk is organised by Guernsey's two Rotary clubs and has established itself as one of the island's largest community fundraising events.
Preparations for the 2027 event are already under way. Charity applications will open on Monday 19 October and close on Monday 30 November. The 2027 Saffery Rotary Walk will take place on Saturday 12 June.
Participation options for next year's Walk include the full 39-mile solo walk, relay teams of up to seven walkers, and the Family Walk.
Q&A
Q: How much money was raised by the 2026 Saffery Rotary Walk?
A: The Walk raised more than £100,000, which was shared among sixteen Bailiwick charities.
Q: What were the participation options for the Walk?
A: Participants could complete the full 39-mile solo walk, join relay teams of up to seven walkers, or take part in the Family Walk.
Q: When will the 2027 Saffery Rotary Walk take place?
A: The 2027 Walk is scheduled for Saturday 12 June, with charity applications open from 19 October to 30 November.
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