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As organisers of the 2025 Saffery Rotary Walk, we are inviting charities this month to make their pitch for a share of the funds that will be raised. Each year a number of local charities are chosen to receive a share of the sponsorship collected by walkers who take on all or part of the epic 39 mile challenge of walking the Island’s coastal path in its entirety. Last year’s donations exceeded £90,000 which were distributed amongst 21 deserving charities. Jannine Birtwistle, the Walk’s charity co-ordinator, said “Applications are welcome from all registered charities or non-profit organisations located on any of the Islands in the Bailiwick.” “Applications need to be made on the form that can be found on this site or by clicking [Application Form] and submitted within the timescale shown on the form. Bids must relate to defined initiatives that are instrumental to helping the charity meet or advance its objectives.  Regrettably, we are unable to contribute to core salaries, recurring overheads or annual running costs.” This will be the 27th Guernsey’s Round Island Walk, and during its lifetime, over £ 1 million has been donated to local charities. Make this YOUR year to benefit from the generosity and extraordinary endeavour of over 1,000 walkers that we expect to welcome again in June to take part in this iconic event in the annual Guernsey calendar. APPLICATION FORM

2024 was yet another record-breaking year for the Saffery Rotary Walk with both registration numbers and sponsorship funds raised reaching new highs. Over £90,000 was raised for 21 local charities, thanks to the fundraising efforts of more than 1,100 walkers.

The sun certainly shone on this year’s Saffery Rotary Walk on Saturday 8 June as the two Rotary Clubs once again painted the coastline orange for the day. As ever, the Island looks forward to this, one of the island’s most popular charity fundraisers. But this year the recent run of sunny weather brought out record numbers with 1,210 people taking part either the main Walk and the side events that make the 39 mile marathon available to all in part or whole. The primary Walkers gathered at the Guernsey Information Centre, ready to set off at 4.30am, and most ended their walk back at the final checkpoint 39 miles later at the Liberation Monument, which was open until 10.00pm to welcome the last four walkers across the line. Others joined the walk as individuals or members of relay teams at checkpoints along the way. Saffery Trust Director, Lisa Vizia, said: “The turnout for this year’s Walk was incredible. An array of local walkers joined us, as well as walkers from further afield. “We are so proud to see this event grow evermore inclusive year upon year so walkers of all types and abilities can truly embraced the challenge. ”Lisa continued: “The weather conditions were ideal our walkers and the coastline looked a spectacular as ever, helping to keep morale high. It was a very special day for all involved.” Walk chairman, Simon Milsted, shared: “One of our goals this year was to attract back to pre-pandemic levels we certainly did that.” With walkers arriving throughout the week from the UK, South Africa, Hungary and Denmark especially to take part.” Simon continued: “We must say a huge thank you to our amazing team of volunteers and corporate sponsors. Without you, the Walk could not have flourished into the major event that it has become. “A huge thanks also to our event sponsor, Saffery Trust, who continue to generously donate their time and essential funding to the Walk, ensuring that every penny raised by our walkers will benefit this year’s 21 chosen charities. “And a final reminder to our walkers. Please collect your sponsorship money through your Sports Giving page or follow the instructions on your paper sponsorship forms. Record numbers had a wonderful experience. Now let’s translate that into record help for our Island’s charities.” The amount of money raised from the Walk will be confirmed over the coming weeks, but organisers are hopeful that this year’s Walk will be yet another record-breaking year.

£100,000 donated to charity in Rotary’s 100th Anniversary Year. It was a record-breaking year for the Saffery Rotary Walk, in terms of both the number of registered walkers and sponsorship funds raised. The 25th round-island walk, held in June, saw over £100,000 raised for 25 local causes, and Guernsey’s Rotary and Inner Wheel service clubs, thanks to the fundraising efforts of more than 1,000 walkers. Walk Chairman, Simon Milsted, announced the impressive figures at a presentation evening on 25 September, hosted by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor at Government House. “I am overwhelmed by the level of support from our walkers, raising such a tremendous amount in our 25th year. Not only is it particularly fitting that we exceeded £100,000 in the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the first Rotary Club here in Guernsey, but we have now smashed through the £1 million barrier for funds donated since first inception of this fabulous event.” said Mr Milsted. Guests at the event, which celebrated the efforts of walkers, organisers and volunteers, included a representative from each of the 25 beneficiary charities, sponsors and walkers who had received special awards. Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB CBE presented cheques to the charities and seven awards to individual and team walkers for their achievements. The Lieutenant-Governor spoke highly of the exemplary contribution that the charitable sector makes to Guernsey life and praised the Rotary Clubs for the continued support of countless local causes made possible in no small measure by way of the annual Round Island Walk. Individuals receiving awards included Harry Wallace, 9, [Youngest Walker], Keith de Carteret, 83, [Oldest Walker], Sam Teers [Saffery Selfie winner] and Alice Falla [prize draw winner]. Casey Rosamond received the award for most sponsorship raised by an individual, while the team of Past Rotary Presidents raised the most in the relay team category. The Peter Walker Award for Endeavour was awarded to the Rosaire Community Association after residents of Rosaire Court, and some of their family members, walked circuits of the Rosaire premises, covering the total 39-mile distance of the Walk. They were also joined on the day by Saffery Trust’s Joe Cardoso-Smale and other Rotarians in support of their efforts. Saffery Trust Director, Lisa Vizia, said the presentation evening was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of everyone involved in the Walk, as well as recognising the charities. “We want to say a huge congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable year for the Walk, and for the generous donations and sponsorships raised by our walkers, without whom, this would not be possible. This really was a fitting celebration of Rotary’s milestone year.” The Saffery Rotary Walk Committee also extended its thanks to the Lieutenant-Governor, Mrs Cripwell and the staff of Government House for their hospitality and continued support of the event.

What did the walkers think of the 2023 Saffery Rotary Walk? “I have completed the Saffery Rotary Walk today. This has been the best organised and well-run event that I have ever attended. Total respect to everyone involved. The food was amazing and the support throughout the day was great. A massive thank you to all the volunteers.”A regular walker. “I must admit I was well impressed with the organisation and how well the volunteers looked after me. l must have been asked 20 times or more if I was good and everything okay. One small problem was being offered breakfast at the Gouffre and having to turn it down due to time constraints. It did smell good!”Mark Prevel, who walked the course twice consecutively. “Hi there, I took part in this year’s walk (my first time and it was epic) however, having done it and seeing how much you (as a walker) need the volunteers at each checkpoint etc. I would love to put my name down as a volunteer for next year’s walk. Honestly, the support from every single person was outstanding and my goodness we needed it. Everyone was top class. Absolute superstars. Many thanks”A first-time walker.

An Important Message for our Walkers, Volunteers and Sponsors We want to say a massive thank you to our wonderful volunteers and corporate sponsors without who the Walk could not have grown to be the major success that it is. Special thanks need to go to our event sponsor, Saffery Champness, whose generosity enables us to assure our walkers that every penny that they raise goes without deduction to this year’s 25 selected charities. A final plea to our walkers – Your job is not completely over until you have collected all the sponsorship that has been pledged to you. You can get your sponsorship to us in the following ways:- Post the sum collected to your personal Race Nation Sports Giving page. Pay the money directly into our bank account at:Saffery Rotary Walk Trust60 09 2074677063 Drop a sealed envelope together with your sponsorship form at the offices of Saffery Champness, La Tonnell House, Les Banques, St Sampson. GY1 3HS. If you did not sponsor a walker but wish to contribute to our charities, please use the donation button on the homepage of this site. Thank you all for your tremendous support. The amount of money raised from this year’s walk will be confirmed over the coming weeks, but we are confident that the 25th Round Island Walk will be yet another record breaker.

A Record-Breaking Year for the 2023 Saffery Rotary Walk The Saffery Rotary Walk took place on Saturday 10th June, and as one of Guernsey’s largest charity fundraising events, the event was a huge success with record-breaking numbers involved. The Walk is one of the island’s landmark community events, with over 1,000 people taking part this year. Early Walkers set off at 4.30am at the Guernsey Information Centre and most ended their walk at the Liberation Monument, where the final checkpoint was open between 11am and 9pm. People of all ages and abilities took part, with nine-year-old Harry Wallace being the youngest participant to complete the full island circuit in both this and last year’s walk. Lisa Vizia, Director at Saffery Champness, says: ‘We were thrilled with the turnout for this year’s Saffery Rotary Walk. So many islanders and many from further afield were involved, either as volunteers or walkers. ‘We are very proud to run this as a fully inclusive event. Whilst not everybody sought to complete the 39-mile challenge, it was so rewarding to witness such a diversity of walkers achieve their particular goals.’ Lisa continued: ‘We were greeted with cool weather conditions, ideal for walkers on the day, making for a fantastic event.’ Simon Milsted, the chair of the Saffery Rotary Walk’s organising committee says: ‘To see many people travelling from overseas to take on the challenge was incredible. People travelled from as far afield as South Africa and Barbados just to take part, such is the draw of our magnificent coastline. Local man Mark Prevel achieved an amazing feat completing two consecutive laps of the 39 mile route without a material break.’ ‘We want to say a massive thank you to our wonderful volunteers and corporate sponsors without who the Walk could not have grown to be the major event that it is.’ Simon continued: ‘Special thanks need to go to our event sponsor, Saffery Champness, whose generosity enables us to assure our walkers that every penny that they raise goes without deduction to this year’s 25 selected charities.’ If you want to be a part of this fantastic event next year then put this date in your calendar now: SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2024 We look forward to seeing you there!

The Rotary Club of Guernsey Centenary Events Continue With The Saffery Rotary Walk To mark their own centenary year coinciding with the 25th year of this incredible annual event, six past Rotary presidents are joining the current president of the Rotary Club of Guernsey on the 10th of June to form a relay team to participate in this year’s Round Island Walk. Brian Acton, President said “In recognition of the 100th Anniversary of our Club, we decided to participate and lead by example and submit an ‘aged and mature relay group’ to illustrate that this is an event that all can be involved in. Between us we have on average well over 25 years of serving the community through Rotary. “On the day we seven will be taking time off from our regular duties as volunteer officials to enjoy actually participating in the walk. We will not missing the opportunity of raising sponsorship for our efforts. “If the thought of taking on the whole walk seems a little intimidating, then why not get a Relay Team together as we have done to share the footsteps. Alternatively join the, more modest, Family Walk that starts at Chouet. It really isn’t too late to register.” In 2022 34 relay teams took part and for 2023 organisers want to smash this number! 25 charities have been chosen to benefit from this year’s sponsorship money. Simon Milsted, Chairman of the Walk Committee said, “The values that underpin our Round Island Walk sit very comfortably with those of the Rotary Club in terms of its longevity, its deep-rooted involvement with our Island community and the service our walkers give to so many charities through the sponsorship that they raise. So it is particularly fitting that our 25th Walk falls in the 100th anniversary year for the first Rotary Club’s foundation in Guernsey. It was a simple decision to mark this linkage by inviting the Club’s past presidents to field a relay team this year. “Naturally we would like to encourage other organisations, workgroups or families to join us in what is proven to be a really great way to enjoy our marvellous coastline while raising money for hard pressed charities in the Bailiwick.”

States Works Steps Up: Extra Team Deployed to Tackle Overgrowth Along South Coast Path Our thanks to States Works who will be allocating an extra team next week to address the worst of the overgrowth along the south coast path. The cliff path greenery has ‘enjoyed’ a very wet spring, so we are grateful that States Works are on the case. Thanks to all those involved!