The day started with check-in at the beautiful Victoria Embankment Gardens. The participants then picked up a CRY balloon and made their way to the bandstand for a speech by Alison Cox MBE (CRY Chief Executive) where she greeted and thanked everyone for turning up as well as thanking the sponsors and volunteers who helped on the day.  There was also an opportunity for Alison to express the importance of CRY’s campaign for a new chief coroner that the charity has launched and to explain to the walkers why their support is so important to this.

 

This was followed by a minute’s silence and then a group warm up, which was this time led by Margaret Fernandes, a fitness instructor provided by Eden Fitness, Ealing. On the stage with Margaret to encourage everyone to join in were Ellen Clabburn, Nema Hafezi-Bakhtiari, Sarah Bates, Jamie Sanders, Lisa Neaverson, George Wright, Alice O'Driscoll and Sophie Lizra.

 

In the meantime, the press team were busy taking photographs and interviewing groups for local press coverage.

 

After picking up a bottle of water and a cereal bar, the walkers set off in small groups. The final group, doing the shorter, wheelchair- friendly route, was led by CRY volunteer, Karla Griffith. This route was designed to ensure that the walk was accessible to everybody wanting to take part and the small group this year included several ladies who were pregnant and carrying potential CRY supporters.  Let’s hope we see them on future walks in their buggies!

 

After crossing Golden Jubilee, Westminster, Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges, there were crisps and drinks available for the walkers to top up their energy levels at the water station.  Participants made their way to the finish at the stunning Hays Galleria, having crossed London Bridge and Tower Bridge, passing the Tower of London and HMS Belfast. 

 

The rain was an unfortunate downside to the walk this year but it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of all the walkers and we still saw most of them return to Hays Galleria, as always, to collect their certificates and bars of chocolate that were being handed out by Foresters volunteers and a fresh fruit punch, made and served by Koula, a CRY volunteer.  This year we also had a book named “todays thoughts” for people to write their comments about the event and their experience.  It was lovely to read all the messages that walkers had left after the event and will be something we will continue to do for next year’s event.

 

The staff and volunteers on the information and merchandise stalls had a very busy day and attracted a lot of interest from tourists and other visitors.  We would like to thank everyone who  bought merchandise and gave donations on the day.

 

We are very grateful to; St Martins Property Company and CBREMS Westminster City Council Parks Office and Events Team; Foresters; Chubb Insurance Group and Sainsbury’s for sponsoring the event, either by providing the venues or making donations towards the costs of the event, refreshments and snacks. We would also like to thank Eden Fitness for allowing Margaret to come and lead our warm up.