THE official charity of Bath’s Royal United Hospital, RUHX, is welcoming the return of their flagship fundraising event, the Walk of Life, on Saturday 11th May.
The walk, that featured last year on BBC One’s ‘The One Show’, started in 2005, and since then has raised over £750,000 for RUH Bath.
Individuals, families and businesses are being asked to go the extra mile for their local hospital. The Walk of Life is a walk for everyone, offering a ten mile and marathon 26.2-mile option along the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The route takes on a scenic journey down the canal towpath, from Wiltshire to Bath. The marathon starts in Bishops Cannings, near Devizes and is joined by the ten-mile walk at Bradford on Avon, with everyone coming to finish together at The Holburne Museum. From stunning countryside to historic aqueducts, there is plenty to spot along the way as you enjoy your day and complete your challenge.
Ellie Wilkinson, events and community officer at the RUHX said, “The Walk of Life is a celebration for loved ones, and those who cared for them. Whoever you walk for, you’ll be supporting your local hospital to do more for our patients, their families, and our amazing NHS staff.
Life-changing impact
“Since the walk began, the funds raised have had a life-changing and lifesaving impact at the RUH. Walkers and their donors have helped fund CT Scanners, incubators for neonatal intensive care unit, the build of the Dyson Cancer Centre (due to open next spring), cutting edge medical research, NHS staff wellbeing projects and much more.
“But we need your help to continue making care extra extraordinary for every patient and to support our hospital staff do what they do best. Will you step up to the challenge?”
The Walk of Life was started in 2005 by Vanessa Kyte, who sadly passed on 15th November 2007, seven years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which developed into secondary lung cancer and brain tumours.
Her passion for fundraising sparked her and her sister Nicola to begin the Walk of Life with the charity, and it has grown ever since into the beautiful celebration that it is today, with thousands of walkers stepping out for an incredible cause. Nicola was surprised by Angela Rippon on BBC’s The One Show at last year’s event, for her extraordinary contributions to the hospital and the local community
Adult tickets are £20 and child tickets are £8. You can register for your Walk of Life place here https://ruhx.org.uk/events/walk-of-life/