Breaking News
On Air Topping in the Morning 6:00AM to 10:00AM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Partly Cloudy
E 4mph
4 mph
Partly Cloudy
17°C

Walk the Wight 2012 - Good Luck!

Listen to: Isle of Wight Radio's Paul Topping starting the walk!
Loading audio
Walk the Wight 2012 - Good Luck!
By Sun, 13 May 2012 7:09AM

The biggest charitable fundraising walk in the World has got underway in Bembridge this morning.

More than 10,000 walkers will trek across the Isle of Wight today for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Listen to all of today's coverage by clicking here.

This year is the 20th walk for the Hospice and a total of 10,584 walkers have registered. Another 2,000 parents will accompany their children for the final 4 miles of the walk bringing the total to over 12,000 walkers taking part.

Over the last 19 years the walk has raised a staggering £2,710,458.00.

This year 49% of walkers are female and 51% male. 8,718 are from the Isle of Wight.

Other walkers taking part are from 10 different countries including Australia, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, N.Ireland, France, Holland, Russia and Wales.

881 walkers are over the age of 60; 17 walkers are over 80 years old. Meanwhile 312 walkers are under the age of 10.

13 people walking will be celebrating their birthday.

363 dogs are registered this year with 71 in total doing the whole walk.

From humble beginnings in 1991, Walk the Wight has now long since been regarded as the largest annual fund raising event on the Island. The event was conceived in the early spring days of 1991.

Frank Stevens and the late Bill Bradley were out on one of their frequent Sunday morning walks when they thought it would be a good idea if they could get a group of their friends to join them in walking from one end of the Island to the other.

While enjoying themselves they thought they could raise money for charity. In 1992 the Hospice became the main charity.

In the early days, there was no support team, no sponsors, only Mars Bars and Lucozade bought at the local shop by the people walking.

As the years passed and the numbers participating rapidly increased from about 25 (the first walk in 1991) to hundreds and now over 10,000.

Good luck! Don't forget to listen to FM 107&102 all day for live coverage of the walk!

Leave a comment..

Submit your event

Latest News Bulletin

Loading audio

Similar Stories

Assistant Commissioner will 'canvas' Island opinion

Assistant Commissioner will 'canvas' Island opinion

The new Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner for the Isle of Wight says she'll work hard to find out what Islanders want from their police force.
Hospice sunflower total blooms at Festival

Hospice sunflower total blooms at Festival

The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is celebrating after selling £14,500 worth of sunflowers at the Isle of Wight Festival.
NHS call for un-needed crutches

NHS call for un-needed crutches

The Isle of Wight's NHS is calling on Islanders to return any un-needed walking aids.
Ambulance called after elderly woman's fall sent to West Cowes instead of East Cowes

Ambulance called after elderly woman's fall sent to West Cowes instead of East Cowes

An Isle of Wight resident, who alerted the emergency services to an elderly woman who had fallen and hit her head, is questioning why his 999 call was taken by a mainland ambulance service, who sent the crew to West Cowes instead of East Cowes.
Vandals destroy bird hide in Yarmouth

Vandals destroy bird hide in Yarmouth

Vandals have destroyed a bird hide in Yarmouth, causing around £300 worth of damage.
Four Star Service For Probation Trust

Four Star Service For Probation Trust

The Hampshire Probation Trust which covers the Isle of Wight has been awarded 4 stars, for the second time.
Grim Unemployment Figures Expected

Grim Unemployment Figures Expected

Grim Unemployment Figures Expected
Cowes Week Sponsorship Deal Extended

Cowes Week Sponsorship Deal Extended

Aberdeen Asset Management is to extend its sponsorship of Cowes Week until 2015.
Final Chance For Pier Photographer Bid

Final Chance For Pier Photographer Bid

People on the Isle of Wight are being urged to get voting for the Quay Arts in a national competition.
Burglary At Newport Charity Shop

Burglary At Newport Charity Shop

Money and jewellery has been taken in a burglary at a charity shop on the Isle of Wight.

Latest Hourly News Bulletin

Loading audio

More Local News

Crime down at 'safe and successful' festival

Crime down at 'safe and successful' festival

Early crime figures reveal fewer arrests at the Isle of Wight Festival compared to last year.
Tourists invited to 'walk with dinosaurs'

Tourists invited to 'walk with dinosaurs'

UPDATE: 19 Jun 13 17:27
A new dinosaur experience has been launched today, in a move to attract visitors from all over Britain to the Isle of Wight.
IW Festival's John Giddings Signs Up To NHS Trust

IW Festival's John Giddings Signs Up To NHS Trust

Promoter John Giddings signs up as a member of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust during his Isle of Wight Festival.
Rain Warning For Isle of Wight

Rain Warning For Isle of Wight

The Met Office is warning of heavy rain over parts of the Isle of Wight tomorrow.
MP's Call To Islanders To Get Involved In Euro Debate

MP's Call To Islanders To Get Involved In Euro Debate

The Conservative Party and Island MP Andrew Turner are asking Islanders to ‘co-sponsor’ a draft law to bring in a national referendum on the EU.
Co-op shoppers support West Wight charities

Co-op shoppers support West Wight charities

Two West Wight charities have received a share of £30,000, thanks to Co-op shoppers.
Media launch for dinosaur app

Media launch for dinosaur app

Members of the national media are on the Island today (Wednesday) to celebrate a new dinosaur visitor experience.
New booking system for Wightlink

New booking system for Wightlink

A new reservation and ticketing system is to introduced by Wightlink.
Man arrested for drugs offence

Man arrested for drugs offence

A 22-year-old Ryde man was arrested near the Hare and Hounds pub on Monday night, in relation to a suspected drugs offence.
Revised Red Funnel timetable due to gangway repairs

Revised Red Funnel timetable due to gangway repairs

Revised Red Funnel car ferry between Friday and Sunday

National News

Corbisiero Earns Lions Start

Corbisiero Earns Lions Start

Thu, 20 June 2013 8:52AM
Kate Prank Call Station 'Breached Licence'

Kate Prank Call Station 'Breached Licence'

Thu, 20 June 2013 8:48AM
Obama Mistakes Osborne For Black Soul Singer

Obama Mistakes Osborne For Black Soul Singer

Thu, 20 June 2013 8:32AM
Regulator Reveals £27.1bn UK Bank Shortfall

Regulator Reveals £27.1bn UK Bank Shortfall

Thu, 20 June 2013 7:30AM
Woman Stabbed On Hollywood's Walk Of Fame

Woman Stabbed On Hollywood's Walk Of Fame

Thu, 20 June 2013 6:53AM
US 'Postpones' Taliban Talks Amid Karzai Fury

US 'Postpones' Taliban Talks Amid Karzai Fury

Thu, 20 June 2013 5:49AM
NHS 'Cover-Up' Staff Could Be Named

NHS 'Cover-Up' Staff Could Be Named

Thu, 20 June 2013 4:52AM
Brazil Protests: Elite Troops Sent To Hot Spots

Brazil Protests: Elite Troops Sent To Hot Spots

Thu, 20 June 2013 4:42AM
Poor Children Are Being 'Failed By Schools'

Poor Children Are Being 'Failed By Schools'

Thu, 20 June 2013 3:22AM
Billing Errors Cost Families Up To £400 A Year

Billing Errors Cost Families Up To £400 A Year

Thu, 20 June 2013 3:16AM