Due to COVID-19 our two-yearly fundraising event will have to be done differently next year – but we are rising to the challenge with plans for a virtual Walk for Water.

The WATSAN Walk for Water is one of our key fundraising opportunities. Every two years a large group of supporters gather for a weekend and take part in a sponsored 20-mile walk to raise vital funds for the projects in Uganda.

Our cunning plan for 2021 is to have a multitude of dispersed/virtual Walks for Water. These will nevertheless be real, local one-day walks, with flexible arrangements to suit local restrictions, all happening on the same day and using technology to keep in touch before, during and on the evening after the event, with the aim of promoting the wonderful sense of camaraderie that usually happens face to face.

For this we need to identify local leaders who will rally the troops! In outline the local leader role will look something like this:

  1. Using “Map my Walk” or similar, plan a local walk with around 5-, and hopefully 10-, 15- and 20-mile stage points, to be undertaken as a group if possible.
  2. Identify and encourage local walkers to join in groups (size to be decided and subject to local COVID regulations). Local support may also be required to dispense refreshments and provide transport for those who drop out at staging points.
  3. Arrange for the walk to be led safely on the day.
  4. Form a WhatsApp group, and for example send pictures of the group on training walks, beginning the walk and points/incidents of interest. Report completion!

Centrally we will support leaders in route planning, supply sponsor sheets and a promotional materials, and invite everyone to a short ZOOM gathering at a set time in the early evening. All proceeds will be for our target project, Bwanga Hill. Each group can set individual and/or group fundraising targets.

We have embryonic offers already to form groups in the Peak District, the Quantocks, the Ridgeway, the Cleveland Way, the Cotswolds, the North Downs and the South Downs, the Leicestershire High Points (which are not very high!), and in or around Central London.

The date is to be confirmed amongst local leaders, but will be either late June or early July 2021.

Will you join this venture as a leader? Please contact Andrew Starr on 0116 2706523 or leicstarr@gmail.com. If you would like to join in, but not as a leader, please contact us so that we can put you in touch with your nearest local leader.