By Mal Butler
Thousands of people took part in Sunday’s Walk the Wight raising more than £400,000 for Mountbatten.
The weather was ideal for the more than 9,300 people who took part in the event, with around 1,000 dogs wearing special bandanas, accompanying their owners.
Mountbatten CEO, Nigel Hartley, who retires in October and has walked 11 times, recorded his best time, and said: “Thank you. Just thank you. Taking part in Walk the Wight means so much to our charity. The day is about making memories, remembering loved- ones and challenging ourselves.
“This is a huge event for the Isle of Wight and for the UK. The critical funds, raised by your incredible efforts, help our experienced nurses, doctors and wider expert staff deliver 24/7 end-of-life care and bereavement services to the Islanders who need us.”
Organiser, Ashleigh Gibbs, said: “What a day we had! It never ceases to be amazing when so many thousands of people come together to Walk the Wight in support of our charity.
“Whoever you walked with and whatever route you completed, we hope you made amazing memories. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2026!”
Many wore sunflowers and fancy dress, with walkers from Canada and South Africa among those taking part, while one even walked the full 261⁄2-mile distance on board a cruise ship!
First back was George Saunders, of Freshwater, who ran around the course and was greeted on the finish line by his young daughter, Mabel, who has been battling leukaemia.
Schools Walk participants rocketed with 500 more walkers taking on the route from Freshwater Bay to Alum Bay, having hopped, skipped, walked or jumped the rest of the distance, in their own time.
The Schools Walk has already raised £46,000, that’s £6,000 more than in 2024, with more money still to be collected.
For people who could not face the full walk there were also shorter options, including two half-walks and an eight-mile flat walk. For those who lost items on the walk, try Mountbattens lost property, to see if they were picked up.
Now the time has now come to pay in sponsorship, if you are yet to do so. Mountbatten is hoping to match or beat last year’s final £500,000 total.
Participants can do this on-line, via the Mountbatten website, in person or by post. Find more details at mountbatten.org.uk/appeal/pay-in-your-walk-the-wight-2025-sponsorship
To mark the 35th anniversary of the event, a special exhibition and a garden of sunflowers is planned for later this year.
Draw, sculpt or knit (or pick a craft to suit you) a sunflower and drop it to Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s reception, in Halberry Lane, Newport.
To see our gallery of pictures go to iw.observer/walk-the-wight-pics or scan the QR code with your mobile phone camera.
Isle of Wight Observer