Men’s Walk fundraising for Dorothy House reaches £50,000 – a massive thank you!

On Saturday 18 March, 270 men arrived at Winsley ready to take on an 8-mile fundraising walk for Dorothy House.

Unlike last year, the sun was shining as everyone came to check in with our wonderful team of volunteers.

Huge thanks to our friends at the Rotary Club of Devizes for coming along to sell bacon and sausage butties, the perfect fuel for the walk to come.

We heard from Maggie Crowe, Director of Patient and Family Services about why fundraising for Dorothy House is so important, and how taking a chance to speak to other men on the walk about experiences of grief and bereavement are so important.

Just before everyone set off we also had a few words of encouragement from England and Bath Rugby player and Dorothy House Ambassador Tom Dunn, who joined the men for the first section of the route.

Watch this video to hear about Tom’s upcoming game with Bath Rugby against Exeter, the Men’s Walk and his role as an Ambassador for Dorothy House.

And the fundraising walk begins!

Almost 300 men took to the Kennet and Avon Canal in various fancy dress and walking boots to walk the 8-mile route. Whilst snaking along the canal, taking in the amazing views of the wonderful countryside just outside Bath, the participants took the chance to chat amongst their teams, friends and brand new buddies about their connections to Dorothy House.

It wasn’t long before the first walkers had Bath in their sights and made it all the way to the Bath Pavilion. Once the men arrived, they were served their free meal and drink and took their seats to watch the day’s Six Nations rugby.

At the rugby for Super Saturday

The atmosphere was brilliant, with over 250 men all taking the time to sit and enjoy a pint with some food and continue some conversations that had been happening on the walk.

We then drew the raffle for the signed Bath Rugby shirt provided by Tom Dunn, which raised a fantastic £840 on the day, with a huge thank you to volunteer Narva who sold tickets right round the Pavilion.

Just before the Ireland vs England match we welcomed friends and family of the walkers, and a few brave Ireland rugby shirts came out. With about 100 men sticking with us for the last match, the evening ended with Ireland victorious and everyone heading home with a few sore feet, but smiles all round.

A massive Dorothy House thank you

We are thrilled to announce that the Men’s Walk to Support 2023 has raised an outstanding £50,000.

This is an incredible amount. With more money raised and more men taking part this year, this will make a huge difference to the lives of patients and families here at Dorothy House Hospice.

Approximately £30,875 could fund our Hospice at Home service for one week, enabling patients to remain in the peace, comfort and familiarity of their own home at the end of their life. So what we can achieve with £50,000 in fundraising is just amazing.

Many of the participants taking part will have experienced support and care from the Hospice, and the money raised from the Men’s Walk could fund more than a week of Hospice at Home care, a huge part of our community work across our patch.

A massive thank you to everyone who took part in the fundraising walk for Dorothy House, as well as our brilliant volunteers who supported the event. We can’t wait to see you all back in 2024!

Join us by fundraising for Dorothy House!

Did you enjoy the Men’s Walk to Support 2023 so much that you want to join us again in 2024 to fundraise for Dorothy House? Or did you miss out this year but want to get in on the action next year? Then register your interest here now.