Over 600 supporters participated in St Basils annual sponsored walking challenge on Saturday 9th June 2012, to raise some much needed funds to help homeless young people across Birmingham, Solihull and Worcestershire.
More photos on Flickr
120 teams participated in the walk, which this year was across the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, including teams submitted by local businesses, walking groups, schools and churches. In previous years this event has raised as much as £100,000 and with a great turn out this year and such enthusiastic supporters early indications suggest another brilliant total should be achieved.
95 teams were submitted by 39 local corporates or businesses. BHSF, Willmott Dixon and Veolia had special t-shirts printed for the event and 4 members of staff from Eversheds LLP took part in fancy dress as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. New participants this year included teams from Solihull based Alpro as well as Birmingham’s Body Shop and Worcestershire based Funky Concepts. The Body Shop Birmingham and Funky Concepts have pledged additional fundraising support to St Basils this year.
Team from Veolia, Solihull had special t-shirts printed
47 teams took on the 26 mile challenge which took a circular route up the Malvern Hills to the Worcestershire Beacon, down to Eastnor Castle and back via Ledbury, whilst 73 opted for the 13 mile challenge across the Malverns and surrounding countryside. 2,700 Cadbury bars were consumed en route which were provided by Walk sponsors Kraft Foods who themselves submitted 4 teams.
The winning teams; Baverstock School (left) and Bromsgrove School (right)
Although the event is not billed as a race, 2 local schools completed the 2 different routes in the fastest times. Baverstock School (Team 7) based in Kings Heath completed the 26 mile route in 5 hours and 23 minutes and Bromsgrove School ‘Hares’ (Team 20) completed the 13 mile route in 2 hours and 56 minutes.
Feedback from participants has been very positive. New participant Rachel Carruthers from the Body Shop said: “Having taken part in lots of organised events, this was the most enjoyable. The marshals and everyone involved we came into contact with have been delightful. The scenery was beautiful and the weather perfect; can’t wait for next years!”.
Steph Danton, Sam Danton, Parminder Benning & Laura Friend from Eversheds LLP
Sam Danton from Eversheds LLP said:We do the St Basils walk for various reasons- we really enjoy the challenge and always have a good laugh on the walk round with good friends, the St Basil team are always supportive and encouraging (and it is great to collect the pin every year). We get to have all this fun and it is all for an amazing cause which makes it so worthwhile! We hope to raise more money for St Basils by being able to make people laugh by our fancy dress! Discussions are already taking place for next year’s theme".
Team from BHSF at the finishing line
More photos on Flickr
Lucy Hackett, Head of Fundraising at St Basils said: “We are delighted with the level of support we have had again this year from local people and business professionals keen to take part in this challenge to make a difference and help the young people in their communities. The sponsorship money they raise will help ensure young people can live independently, make a success of their lives and never have to return to a crisis situation where they are at risk of homelessness.”
Team times from this year’s walk and details of next years walk are now available from the St Basils Walk page. Please visit: www.stbasils.org.uk/walk for more details. Additional and team photos are available from our Flickr feed.
Added June 2012
