On Saturday 7 March, 608 men took to the streets of Torquay, walking eight miles to raise funds for Rowcroft Hospice.
After the successful inaugural event last year, The Male Trail’s return was highly anticipated with many of the previous year’s participants returning. It is hoped that the event will have raised in excess of £60,000 which will help Rowcroft provide care and support to patients and families living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.
The Male Trail 2020 was sponsored by Bays Brewery, WBW Solicitors and Accounting 4 Everything. Rowcroft Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager, Alison Upton says, “Having the support of local sponsors has made such a difference to the event this year. It means that more of the money raised can go directly to patients and their families. We would also like to say a massive thankyou to Torquay Rugby Club for hosting the event and to Teignmouth Morrisons for providing all of our hungry participants and volunteers with a well-deserved pasty at the end of the walk.”
The walkers set off from Torquay Rugby Club following a haka style warm-up. The route passed a number of conveniently located ‘watering holes’ and tied in with the final day of the Six Nations Rugby, which was shown across big screens in the hospitality marquee following the walk. All participants were welcomed back with a free pint and a tasty pasty to enjoy during the game.
The 608 men were supported by a team of more than 80 passionate volunteers who generously gave up their Saturday to help the event run as safely and smoothly as possible.
Izzy Hopkins, 13, from Torquay volunteered alongside her mother and helped in collecting the much-anticipated pasties from Teignmouth Morrisons and delivering them to Torquay Rugby club. Izzy says: “Volunteering at Rowcroft events is a really good use of free time and for teenagers, it’s a really good thing to have on your CV. I love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they come together for Rowcroft.”
Matt Stevens, 35, from Paignton walked The Male Trail in memory of his Nan, Betty, who spent her final days in the comfort and care of Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit in Torquay. “I am taking part today to say thank you to Rowcroft for everything they did for my Nan. They made her so comfortable and made such a difference. Today is brilliant; it’s a really good walking route and all the volunteers keep you really motivated along the way.”
Rowcroft’s Events Manager, Alexia Croft, is thrilled with the amount raised for local patients and families in need of Rowcroft’s services.
“Well it’s fair to say that The Male Trail could be giving The Sleep Walk a run for its money now! The men of South Devon have really opened their hearts to this event and it makes us feel so proud to see how incredible their fundraising efforts have been.
“Thank you to all the men who signed up and fundraised, to all of our dedicated volunteers, to the local businesses who have been so generous, and thank you to all of Rowcroft’s amazing female supporters who encouraged the men in their lives to sign up. We would also like to thank all of the pubs who were so welcoming to our participants; walking eight miles can be thirsty work!”
Rowcroft’s hugely popular, female only charity walk, The Sleep Walk is taking place on Saturday 4 July. For more information and to register online, visit rowcroftsleepwalk.org.uk
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