Men’s Walk to Support 2025

In a repeat of last year’s event, we’ll be opening up Bath Pavilion for friends and family of our participants to join us for the second Six Nations match of the day – Scotland vs Wales.

Everyone is welcome from 16:30, and entry will be £5, with all proceeds supporting our vital work with patients and families across our patch.

The Bath Pavilion bar will be open during the game and we’ll have snacks available to purchase too.

Is this event on International Women’s Day?

We are aware that the Men’s Walk to Support 2025 is on International Women’s Day and this is for a number of reasons, including when Bath Pavilion was available and Six Nations Rugby is being shown.

We know that many men that take part are doing so in memory of women in their life, and so we would encourage you to sign up to do so. Some of our participants from last year gave the following feedback:

“Having very recently lost my Daughter it was nice to see and thank some of your staff again.”

“Loved it, it was my first walk as my Wife passed away at home using the Hospice at Home service last August. It was a very poignant day for me and my family.”

“I loved the walk and I’ll do it every year in honour of my wife who passed away in August 2023. Thank you for putting this together.”

Award Winning?!

Yes, we were very please to win Event of the Year at the South West Chartered Institute of Fundraising Awards 2024. They gave us the award against stiff competition, and said they were so impressed by both the fundraising efforts and bringing so many men together to talk about their experiences of grief and bereavement.

When should I come to Dorothy House and when am I setting off on the walk?

Due to the anticipated numbers of men joining us this year we’re having two start times, which will make the experience better for everyone taking part. You will need to choose a start time when you register and we ask that you stick to this to keep the event flowing as planned and safe.

The first start time will be 11am, with registration open for that start time at 9:30am here at the Hospice.

The second start time will be 12pm (midday), with registration open for that start time at 11am here at the Hospice.

Is parking available at the Hospice?

Yes, there is parking available at the Hospice, and you are able to leave your car there overnight and collect on the Sunday. We would ask that where possible, groups travel together in as few cars as possible as parking is limited.

Is there transport available from the Pavilion back to Dorothy House Hospice at the end of the event?

Dorothy House is not putting on official transport back to the Hospice at the end of the Men’s Walk. However, the D1 bus departs from Bath Bus Station and stops right outside the Hospice and takes roughly 25 minutes.

The D1 bus departs Bath Bus Station at the following times:

• 14:50
• 15:50
• 17:05
• 18:05
• 19:05
• 20:00

Are dogs welcome?

Dogs are welcome to join in along in the walking part of the Men’s Walk to Support, but unfortunately are not able to come inside Bath Pavilion, so if you intend to bring your dog with you, please make arrangements for when you coming inside at the end.

Will I get a t-shirt this year again?

Absolutely, a Men’s Walk to Support t-shirt is included in the price of your registration and you’ll be asked what size you’d like.

What should I expect during registration at the Hospice?

Depending on whatever start time you are registered for, once you arrive at the Hospice you will be welcomed by our fantastic volunteers, signing in to let us know you’re here. There will then be plenty of food and drink available before you set off on the walk.

What should I expect at Bath Pavilion after the walk?

Once you complete the 8 mile walk, you’ll arrive and check in with our team at the Pavilion, and receive your token for your free meal and drink. Food will be served from 13:30 ready for those who arrive first to sit down and start watching Ireland vs France on the big screen.

Food will be served until 16:30, giving you until then to complete the 8 mile route, and to be there with plenty of time to watch the second six nations game on the big screen, Scotland vs Wales.

The bar at the Pavilion will be open all afternoon and we’ll have snacks available to buy if you get peckish later on in the afternoon and into the evening.

Everything will be wrapped up by 7pm, with all the rugby finished and everything winding down before we bid you farewell.

To set up a new team choose “Create” within the Registration Form

• Choose the team name
• Enter the e-mails for your fellow teammates (if you want to now)
  • Note – this e-mail will only be sent to your teammates if you now enter the event in this transaction yourself
  • Enter the event yourself. Your team has now been created

If you’ve already set up a team and your members would like to join

• They need to choose “Find” within the Registration Form
• The person then needs to choose your team name and join it

Team fundraising

• All teams have an overall team page. This will display the team fundraising total and overall team target
• Within that page will be each individual fundraising page
• If people would like to sponsor your team they can do so here or they can choose an individual member of that team to sponsor

If you have any queries please contact Dan at dan.varley@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk or on 01225 721388

Corporate support

Our huge Men’s Walk to Support is back for 2024 to raise even more funds for care for patients and families in our local area.

As a business there are plenty of ways to get involved, with the men of your team joining the walk or everyone supporting with marshalling the 8 mile route.

We’re again looking for companies to come on board as sponsors for one of our biggest annual events. If you’re interested in sponsoring, taking part and/or volunteering, please email Community and Events Fundraiser Dan Varley on dan.varley@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

Event volunteers

Volunteering with Dorothy House is a fantastic way to learn new skills, meet new people, and give back to your community. We have a number of different volunteering opportunities within Fundraising where you can assist with a variety of activities and events! If volunteering for the Men’s Walk to Support is something you’re interested in, please email Dan Varley on dan.varley@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

All paying registrants (PR) must complete and sign a registration form or enter online before taking part. Each PR needs to ensure that every member of their party has given the PR their permission to enter them into the event and also given permission to submit their name and contact details. These details will be held by Enthuse (for online entrants) and Dorothy House Hospice Care for the purpose of administering this event.  All children aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult who will be responsible for their safety throughout the event.

Participants must be aged 8 or over on Saturday 8 March 2025.

Dogs are only permitted on the walk and are not permitted within Bath Pavilion.

The non-refundable entry fee is to cover the cost of administration and resources for the event and entitles each walker to a meal, a pint (soft drink for under 18s) and a T-shirt.

All participants are expected to raise sponsorship, a minimum of £50, or make a personal donation in lieu of sponsorship.

Sensible footwear must be worn and care taken.

The course is multi-terrain, including roads, fields, and towpath.

Places limited to 750 walkers.

If you have a medical condition which could be affected by exercise, please obtain your doctor’s approval before participation.

You enter the walk at your own risk and should not take part unless medically fit to walk 8 miles and complete the distance within four hours. We reserve the right to withdraw marshalling for any participants who take over four hours to complete the course.

Entrants will be responsible for making their own way to Dorothy House for the start of the event and arranging suitable transport to get home from the Bath Pavilion.

While all reasonable action has been taken by Dorothy House to ensure the safety of participants, the charity cannot be held accountable for any injury, loss or damage sustained during this event.

The charity may take photographs of the event and use them in publicity material including on their websites. If you do not want your photograph to be used, please contact Dan Varley on dan.varley@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

In the unlikely event that we do need to cancel the event, you will be notified by email.

If we are unable to re-arrange the Men’s Walk to Support event for another date, we will contact you about refund options.