Ex-England and Bath Star Dan Hipkiss Supports Bath Men's Walk Fundraiser

Former Bath and England star Dan Hipkiss has given his backing to Bath Men’s Walk 2018, which will see hundreds of men help raise vital funds for Dorothy House and Bath Rugby Foundation.

Dan Hipkiss who played for Bath, Leicester Tigers and earned 13 England caps, is a newly appointed ambassador for Dorothy House and will be on hand to start the walk on Saturday 17th March.

The Bath Men's Walk is a two-hour, eight mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal path which starts off at 12pm from Dorothy House in Winsley following registration at 11am. The walk finishes at the Rec, where walkers will be treated to a screening of the day’s Six Nations action, a pie and a pint.

This year the walk, which is sponsored by Thrings, is held on ‘Super Saturday’ and walkers can watch both the England v Ireland match at 2:45pm and Wales v France at 5pm.

Participants will receive a free t-shirt, pie and a pint or soft drink included in the entry price. Delicious bacon or sausage sandwiches, burgers and soup will be available to buy before the walk, kindly provided by The Rotary Club of Devizes. To sign up for the event visit www.bathmenswalk.co.uk.

Last year, thanks to the efforts of all who took part, Bath Rugby Foundation and Dorothy House Hospice Care, raised over £61,000 between them to support their much-needed work for the local community.

Dan Hipkiss, Dorothy House ambassador, said: “I'm delighted to be supporting Dorothy House at the Bath Men's Walk in aid of two great charities who work really hard for the local community. Last year the Bath Men's Walk raised a huge total, so let’s all dig deep in our pockets to beat that sum this year in return for a fantastic day of walking and rugby.”

Bath Rugby supporters who attended the recent match with Sale were given a flavor of the Bath Men’s Walk at the Rec as the Avon Road Amigos, who take part in the walk every year, dressed in sombreros and ponchos.

Mark Osland of the Avon Road Amigos, said: "Around the Rec it was really surprising that lots of people recognised us from the previous walks and loads more were asking us all about it. We even had a boost to our online fundraising from Bath Rugby fans. It seems that there is a lot of interest in the Bath Men’s Walk and a huge amount of support from Bath Rugby supporters.

“It was great to meet Matt Banahan and Freddie, and Freddie even got in to the spirit of things and wore one of our 'emergency moustaches'! “It certainly looks like Bath Men’s Walk is going to be a brilliant day out once again."

Emily Knight, Event Fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care said: "It was a great buzz to watch last Saturday's match and see Bath and Sale Sharks play so competitively. It was also a privilege to see the Avon Road Amigos team helping to promote the 2018 Bath Men's Walk together with Matt Banahan and Freddie Burns from Bath Rugby Club. I'm sure this year's event will be a storming success and the all-important funds raised will allow Dorothy House to continue to give patients, their families and carers the specialist palliative and end of life care they need. We look forward to seeing our new Ambassador, Dan Hipkiss, starting the walkers off on 17th March."

Lynne Fernquest, Bath Rugby Foundation CEO, said: “It was great to see the Avon Road Amigos cause a stir at Bath Rugby’s match against Sale. We know they will add a splash of colour to the Bath Men’s Walk on Saturday 17th March and we hope hundreds of men will join them for a day which we know will be a lot of fun.”

To sign up for the event please visit www.bathmenswalk.co.uk. For more information on Bath Rugby Foundation visit www.bathrugbyfoundation.com or on Dorothy House Hospice Care visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.