One week to go until the Around the Island Walk

Sunday 17 June 2018

With only one week to go before the State Street Island Walk, setting off on 23 June, organisers are urging islanders to sign up to help raise funds for dozens of local charities.

1,200 islanders have signed up for this year's walk which has become one of the largest one-day fundraising events held in the island with more than 24,000 walkers raising over £2.2 million in sponsorship over the last 28 years.

The Island Walk, formerly known as the ITEX-Rotary Trust, is organised and run by the trustees of the State Street Island Walk Trust. The board of trustees consists of Joy Carry, Jake Crichton, Robert Norman, Robert Syvret and Edward Trevor.

250 volunteers are involved in the walk each year with some of them coming back year on year to help. Thanks to business sponsorship, every walker is provided with food and drink across 12 checkpoints. With an average of 1,000 walkers on the course at any one point, a minimum of 12,000 bottles of water is needed at all checkpoints. Organisers say: "Everything we have to cater for is multiplied by the 1000 and again by a factor of 12!"

While 48.1 miles might seem a bit daunting, organisers are reminding islanders that they can set their own goals on the day and choose from the numerous checkpoints along the route to stop. They can also choose to take part in the Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge which runs parallel with the Main Walk. 

Launched in 2007, it is becoming more popular, especially with young families. "It is fantastic to see grandparents, parents and their children all enjoying the event together," organisers say. This year, the next stage of the challenge is the 13 mile route from Le Braye slipway in St. Ouen to the Finish Line at the Waterfront. It will start at 14:30 on 23 June 2018.

People can still register up to the very start of the walk. Organisers will also be setting up a collection tent on 22 June at the Official Finish Line, underneath The Bar Terrace, and will be on deck between 12:00 and 17:00 for late entry registrations.