About "Walk the Test Way 2008"
When/Where ?
Sunday 12th
October 2008 - The
Test Way stretches approx. 45 miles from Inkpen Beacon in the north
to Totton in the south, and was originally used by sailors arriving
in Southampton as a transit route to the Midlands.
Our walks start at
various points along this route, with the furthest the 26 mile
“Marathon” starting at St Mary Bourne alongside the Bourne Rivulet.
The rivulet joins the River Test just before Wherwell our next start
point (18 miles), and our route intermingles with the Test for the
rest of our walks, from Stockbridge (13 miles), Stoneymarsh Car Park (7.5
miles), Mottisfont Church (5 miles) and for our final “Stroll” from Squabb
Wood (designed with children in mind) for the last 2.5 miles. All
walks end back in Memorial Park, Romsey.
After registering
in Romsey, all walkers will be transported to their chosen start
point, with Wherwell walkers registering from 8.00 am.
“Marathon” 26 mile walkers will have to register and leave Romsey by
7.00am.
How
difficult are the walks ?
Starting at St Mary
Bourne the walk slopes down towards Wherwell, where the remainder of
the course is relatively easy and flat, but we suggest stout
footwear, and wet weather clothing are included in your plans.
Walkers attempting the two longest distances, should be familiar
with walking these distances, and should consider themselves capable
of completing the course in less than 8 hours (9 hours for the
Marathon 26 mile distance). Few weather conditions would cause the
event to be cancelled, but you will be provided with a number to
call on the day, in case of any doubt. The complete course will be
marshalled to deal with any difficulties, until the last walkers
pass through, but we are unable to accept responsibility for any
walkers who leave the marshalled route. An emergency ambulance will
be on hand, and a doctor will be supervising medical cover.
Who can take part
?
Anyone can take part, but we require
young persons under the age of 14 yrs to be
accompanied by an adult. There are no fitness requirements, but if
you are in any doubt regarding a medical condition or disability
that could affect you, please consult with your GP first.
It is hoped that part of the planned
course could be available to participants who have
disabilities that might prevent them overcoming obstacles
such as gates or stiles. If you have such a disability, but would
like to take part, please contact the organisers for more details.
Family and friends are welcome, why
not encourage them to seek sponsors, and also take part.
What do I do next
?
Use the Registration Form
on this site to book your place online, or print a copy and post, or
contact one of the numbers on the Home Page. There is a
non-refundable booking fee of £5 per participant which is used to
cover administration costs.
Sponsorship Forms
are available from this web-site, and we will commence requesting
your sponsorship monies approximately three weeks after the event.
Should you wish to pay us any sponsorship beforehand, we can accept
it on the day of the walk.
How is your
sponsorship distributed ?
The Rotary Club of Romsey Test
is a registered charity (No.1029525), and members provide their time
as unpaid volunteers. All proceeds (less costs) from the walk will
be donated to charity. The sponsorship monies you collect will be
donated 75% to the charity of your choice, and
25% to Rotary supported charities. We encourage you wherever
possible to request your supporters (if they are standard rate
taxpayers) ,to sign the Gift Aid section, as this can
increase the donation to your charity by 28%.
How will Rotary use
their proportion of the sponsorship ?
The Rotary Club of Romsey Test
is part of Rotary International, was formed in 1990, and currently
has 56 members. The club has raised many thousands of pounds since
it was formed, and donated many hours of time to the community.
Instrumental in leading a District initiative to provide a large
house for relatives of patients at Southampton General Heart Unit,
it also raised over £30,000 to provide a new canopy and entrance for
Romsey Hospital.
The club supports many needs in the local
community including the Romsey Young Carers and helping in many
other large and small projects. Internationally it has contributed
many thousands of pounds towards such causes as the 2004 Tsunami
appeal, Doctor Bank in Africa, VSO, and the worldwide Rotary Polio
eradication programme. In the last year alone we have supported over
60 different causes . All monies raised by the club is
donated 100% towards charity.
Visit the
web-site at
www.rotaryclubofromseytest.org
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