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This is Wellness Walk’s first ever fundraising event – and what a spectacular and fun day out – walking across the tidal estuary of Morecambe Bay from Arnside to Grange-over Sands – there will be wet feet involved.
But don’t worry – there’ll also be lots and lots of laughter, lots of Wellness Walks volunteers keeping an eye on you and a specially trained team of safety people. to deal with the water crossing.
The aim of this event is to raise vital funds to support the work we do – so whilst we’re selling tickets to cover the event cost what we really need is a lot of people to raise a little bit of sponsorship – if we were able to sell every ticket, and each person raised just £100 in sponsorship then we’d be able to continue to support the thousands of people who come on our totally free Wellness Walks each year. We’ve put details of how you can share our fundraising and some sponsorship top tips further down – alternatively there’s also an option to make an additional donation when you purchase tickets.
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This is definitely a walk with a fantastic difference. Whilst the estuary is less than a mile across at it’s narrowest we’ll need to take a more interesting route to keep us safe. Local guides with expert knowledge of the always shifting sands will take us along the lovely shore past limestone outcrops until we step down on to the golden sands and make our way out into the bay.
At some point we’ll take off our shoes and socks (& either walk barefoot or put on shoes we don’t mind getting wet) and wade through shallow water until we reach the magic sand bank that lets us make our way across to Grange-over-Sands. We’ll pause here a while for refreshments and frankly astounding views – and then continue to the walks end.
(see logistics below for start/finish option).
Walk Leaders
We'll add more details as Leaders confirm...
We’re hoping to have as many of our wonderful Wellness Walks Volunteer Leaders as possible there on the day to support you – as well as our Directors. It’ll be a chance to get to know us a bit better – and of course, as always, all of our walk leaders will be fully qualified and will put your safety any enjoyment first.
But.
This is a walk with some unique challenges – so we’ll also be fully supported by the Team at Guide over the Sands, who know the Bay exceptionally well and have special support vehicles for anyone who’s struggling or needs some help.
So far confirmed Wellness Team Members who you might know are: Kelvyn, Cat, Linda, Beth, Karl, Karen, Hannah….
Facilities
- Cafe or Pub Available
- No Swimming Available
- Toilets Available
- Public Transport Available
- No Transport Provided
- Dogs Allowed
There are public toilets in the car park at the start and finish. We'll meet outside the pub with the option of calling in at the end of the walk.
Mixed Weather
This far in advance it’s impossible to know what the weather will be – but obviously we’re hoping for a lovely day! We’ll send out specific final details about a week before the event when the forecast is more certain. In the meantime please read the kit list below.
Kit Lists
As this walk is a little different you’ll want to know you’ve got what you need to make it safe & fun.
People
Obviously you’ll know best what you need to keep you safe & happy – but below are some of our suggestions.
- Walk Ticket - you'll need this to be allowed on the walk and/or to collect your badge
- Warm Clothes
- Waterproofs
- Shorts - as the water might get to mid-calf we recommend you wear shorts
- Dry shoes - i.e. shoes that will be used for the dry part of the walk
- WET Shoes - shoes you'll walk in water in OR you can go barefoot!
- Camera/Phone - you'll want to take lots of pics!
- Spare Layers - always a good idea
- Drink & Snacks
- Food for cafe/pub - there are cafe's and pubs at the start & finish
- TRAIN TICKET - see comments in the logistics section
Dogs
All dogs must be well behaved around large groups of people & other dogs. Please be aware small dogs may need to be carried by you for the water crossing section.
- Doggie Ticket
- Lead
- Water & Bowl
- Dog Treats
- Ability to carry if necessary
Logistics - What you need to know...
We will be meeting at Arnside next to the car park at the start of the promenade (close to the viaduct) as shown on the map below -There’ll be a Wellness Walk banner.
You must bring your ticket and sign in – otherwise we simply can’t accept responsibility for you.
The Walk will start promptly at 13:00 – we advise arriving by 12:00 – there are cafes, pubs and takeaways available (& toilets).
This is a one way walk and the easiest way to get back to your car is to use the train. You can either:
- Park at Grange-over-Sands and get the train to the walk start at Arnside – you will then effectively walk back to your car.
- Park at Arnside and join the walk. At the end of the walk you can then get the train back to your car.
- Arrive and depart by train – this is easy from Lancaster or Barrow.
Note; at the time of writing this there is currently one train per hour
Inspiration - a video of the walk
Sponsorship - how to, top tips & general info
The aim of this event is to try and raise £10,000 to allow Wellness Walks to maintain and expand the services & courses we offer. At the heart of everything we do is the simple premise that Wellness Walks should always be free to participants and they should be delivered by fully qualified leaders who know how to support safe spaces and deliver exceptional days out.
But of course nothing is ever really free – so whilst we’re often able to raise specific funding for specific programs the things that keep the organisation running -the website, the booking system, recruiting, reporting, accounting – they all cost an ever increasing amount.
We also want to be able to vastly increase the number of places we offer to people from marginalised and under-represented communities. Often these individuals, who we know would make exceptional leaders, are widely spread out and can’t get onto our geographical funding opportunities – so we’re going to use funds raised from this event to support them.
The easiest way to raise sponsorship is set up a supporter page over at Enthuse – it takes less than 5 minutes and is super simple. Follow the link below & then click the red button at the top of the page that says “Fundraise for us”
If you’d like some inspiration then scroll to the bottom of the page you can see other people fundraising for us and see what they’ve done, but we’ve also put some advice below!
We also know a lot of you might want to ask friends & family and perhaps a paper form is easiest so we’ve made a template you can download HERE.
So what makes a good sponsorship request?
Tell people why Wellness Walks is an organisation that you want to support – if we’ve helped you or someone you know – or if you’re someone who simply knows that getting out in to nature is good for people and wants to help make that happen – then tell people, they’ll nearly always want to help.
Be honest if this is a challenge for you – it’s an exceptional walk and something you should rightly be proud of achieving.
If you’re part of an organisation then ask them for support – you’d be amazed how many companies want to do a good deed, want to show they’ve a social conscience.
Why it matters
1 in 4 people will be directly affected by a mental health issue in the next year.
Being out in nature is repeatedly proven to be beneficial for peoples mental and physical health.
Talking about a problem with your peers lets people know they’re not alone, lets them know things can get better.
Wellness Walks specifically addresses these issues.
Donation Only
If you’ve read this far and decided that this walk isn’t for you but you’d still like to support us then you can make a donation using the button below & remember – there are still lots & lots & lots of totally free Wellness Walks happening all across the UK that you can go on – we’ve something to suit everyone.
Book a Space
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Important:
- You MUST book a place on this walk via the Wellness Walks site. You MUST supply the information requested – this is to keep YOU & our leaders safe in the unlikely event of an emergency.
- If you do not have suitable clothing & equipment you may not be allowed on a walk for your own safety.