Last chance to join in the all new Bath Rugby Walk

Last call for entries to the seventh annual Bath Rugby Walk on Saturday 23rd February.

This year the sponsored Bath Rugby Walk is open to everyone aged 12+ and will raise vital funds for two local charities Bath Rugby Foundation and Dorothy House Hospice Care. To sign up for the sponsored Bath Rugby Walk visit www.bathrugbywalk.org.uk

Sponsored by Thrings, the Bath Rugby Walk is an eight mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal path starting from Dorothy House in Winsley at 11am following registration. The walk will finish at the home of Bath Rugby, The Rec, after a short stop for refreshments along the canal path. At the Rec, walkers will be treated to a free pie and a drink and a screening of the day’s Six Nations action. This year walkers can watch both the France v Scotland match at 2:15pm and Wales v England at 4:45pm.

Bath Rugby Foundation and Dorothy House Hospice Care raised over £56,000 last year. This year, they hope to beat this figure to help support their much-needed work for the local community.

Sgt Keith Terry from the Gill’s Boys Team said: "My team of 8 soldiers and I will be walking in memory of Gill Down and helping to raise funds for charity by completing the annual Bath Rugby Walk twice. My team and I serve in the British Army at 6 Battalion, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers in Tidworth. The Walk normally consists of an 8 mile walk from Dorothy House in Winsley to the Bath Rugby Club at The Rec in Bath. However, in true Army fashion we have added a twist. We will double the length of our walk to 16 miles each carrying a 20kg (45lb) rucksack starting at Bath Rugby Club, walking to Winsley, meeting up with the rest of the Gill’s Boys team members and then walking back to The Rec with them."

Emily Knight, Event Fundraiser, Dorothy House Hospice Care said: "Last year's Walk was a great success with almost 600 people taking part. The funds raised for Dorothy House this year will help us provide patients and their families with specialist palliative and end of life care. We’re delighted that men, women and children ages 12+ can now join in this great family day out.”

Matthew Fothergill, Head of Key Stage 2 at Warminster School and organiser of the Mashy's Marchers team said, "Stuart Morgan-Nash former Deputy Head at Warminster Prep School was one of life's good guys, larger than life and loved by the thousands of children he taught over the years. Losing him to cancer in late 2018 left an enormous hole in the lives of all his family and friends. In Stuart's honour, 32 members of the Mashy's Marchers team will be taking part in the Bath Rugby Walk from Dorothy House to the Bath Recreation ground where we will raise a glass and enjoy a pie in his memory. Stuart loved Bath Rugby and we are looking forward to getting together to remember Stuart and raise funds for charity."

Caryl Thomas, Programme Development Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation and Welsh International rugby player, said: “Seeing hundreds of people walking eight miles down the canal path in aid of two brilliant charities is always inspiring and the Bath Rugby Walk is a highlight of the Foundation’s fundraising calendar. I’m sure the prospect of a Six Nations extravaganza will get everyone to the Rec on time.” Please sign up for the event at www.bathrugbywalk.org.uk. For more information on Bath Rugby Foundation visit www.bathrugbyfoundation.com or on Dorothy House Hospice Care visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.