The 5th overseas sponsored walk raising money for St Michael's Hospice

Why not join us walking in Europe this year?  Boulogne to Le Touquet is our 5th sponsored walk overseas and is organised to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice.  The walk takes in some stunning countryside as we wend our way along the coastal footpath between these two famous cities.

Our walk will cover some beautiful French countryside and passes many places of historic interest en route.  There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and our overnight base will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

The event is perfect for people of all ages and we would encourag families to participate.  The route is undulating and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.

If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Stroll is fully funded.

The Stroll

Your weekend begins on Saturday August 23rd at the Hospice in St Leonard's where a coach will take you first to Dover and then across the channel to our start point - the famous port of Boulogne.

Your first day's walk is around 8-10 miles and at the end of Day 1, we check into our hotel and then enjoy a fine evening meal.  Then, on Day 2, after breakfast, we are taken back by coach and set off for our big day of walking, continuing to follow the coastal footpath but also taking in some of the forest paths that are dotted along the coast.  The route is around 15 miles as we head towards Le Touquet and then, after another night in the hotel, we set off on our final walk of the weekend - striding out once again into the countryside to finish in Le Touquet, where a welcome celebratory lunch awaits.

In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way.  You can either travel alone or link up with one of several groups to travel with fellow walkers.  Families are encouraged to join us and can make their own pace on each day.  Each day we shall cover quite a few miles - but with plenty of stops, you should be able to finish the route comfortably and still leave plenty of time to enjoy the route.

All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.  We will also arrange for the transfer of any luggage and equipment you require on each day.

The costs:

This is intended to be a sponsored event to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice.  Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £400 in sponsorship.  If this minimum level is reached, then all costs, including meals, accommodation and the services of the back-up crew and guides will be met in full.

For couples, the minimum sponsorship is reduced to £350 for each participant; any children who accompany adults can be accommodated for an additional sponsorship of £100 each, subject to them sharing a room with the adults.

In addition, we require a non-refundable deposit or registration fee of £50 per participant.  This fee is payable at the time of entry.  If the event is cancelled by the organisers any deposits taken will be refunded.

The overall cost of the event includes:

• 2 nights hotel accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis
• Lunches on days 1,2 and 3
• Dinner on days 1 and 2
• Drinks and refreshments en route
• Back-up transport
• Coach transport
• Transfer of luggage
• All accommodation bookings and administrations
• The services of the back-up crew and guides throughout the duration of the walk
• A daily goody bag plus a medal for all participants
• Map and guide for each day's stroll

Dates:

The Stroll from Boulogne to Le Touquet will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 23rd August and return on Monday 25th August 2008.

Accommodation:

After a long day on your feet, we appreciate that accommodation will need to be comfortable.  We will be staying in the Hermitage Hotel in Montreuil-sur-Mer on both nights.  The hotel has only en-suite rooms.  Single rooms are sometimes difficult to obtain which is why the price for single walkers includes a supplement.  If you do not mind sharing a room, your minimum sponsorship requirement will be reduced accordingly.  Please indicate on your application form if you are prepared to share a room.

Transport:

Back -up transport and coaches will carry your luggage but you will be responsible for getting to St Leonards in time to begin the event on the Saturday morning.  We may be able to offer a limited number of pick-up points en route to Dover but full and further departure details will be forwarded in due course.  At the end of the walk, we will bring you and your luggage back to St Leonards; or, in certain circumstances, a convenient location en route from Dover.

General Information:

Most meals and refreshments will be provided.  On Day 1 you should make your own arrangements for breakfast prior to departure - although you can, if you wish, purchase breakfast on the ferry.  In Boulogne we will be having a light lunch.  Back-up vehicles will meet up with walkers at regular intervals during the day to distribute refreshments free of charge.  Breakfast prior to departure each morning, a picnic lunch and an evening meal will also be provided.  You are obviously free to purchase any additional food and drink en route.  You are also advised to have an adequate supply of liquid refreshment whilst you are walking - back up vehicles will carry water and squash to replenish drink bottles.

In the evenings the whole group can enjoy a meal, a social, a drink or simply relax - the choice is yours.

If you are intending making your own way each day and do not require refreshments or lunch to be provided, a packed lunch can be provided prior to your departure.

Please advise us of any special dietary requirements you may have.

Fundraising pack & Sponsorship forms:

The walk is a fund raising event and we will provide as much help and assistance as we can to help you raise the necessary funds.  A comprehensive fundraising pack will be sent to you after you have registered.

Comprehensive itinery and joining instructions:

Final instructions for the walk will be issues before the event, including advice on equipment.

Getting into shape:

No walk of this distance can be tackled without any preparation at all!

However, this is not a difficult walk, and for those with average fitness should not prove too tiresome.  That said, to spend 10-15 miles a day on your feet for a couple of days can be somewhat uncomfortable if you are not used to it!

Participants who are not regular walkers are, therefore, advised to indulge in some kind of preparation in the weeks leading up to the walk.  We can send you a suggested preparation schedule, and for those with access to e-mail, we can also send weekly schedules to your inbox.

If there is a demand, then we may organise a couple of practice walks in the weekends leading up to the walk.

On the booking form a space is provided for information to be given concerning any medical condition that might cause you any problems during the walk, and of which the organisers should be made aware in advance (eg epilepsy, allergies etc). The need for this information is purely precautionary and to help us be prepared.  Any information given will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

We would recommend that all walkers take out personal travel insurance, as neither the charity nor the organisers of the walk can be held liable for personal injuries or losses incurred to participants.

Note:

There is a limit to the numbers we are able to accommodate on the walk, so please book early to avoid disappointment, to enable us secure the best accommodation, and to give you maximum time to obtain sponsorship.

More information:

The event is being organised in support of St Michael's Hospice by Peasmarsh based event company Nice Work who will be responsible for all arrangements for the event.  If you have any questions about the event, about fundraising or about preparations for the event, then please don't hesitate to contact us:

Martin & Cathy Burke

Telephone No:    01797 230730

Email:     info@nice-work.org.uk

Address:     Unit 4, Malthouse Business Park, The Maltings, Peasmarsh, East Sussex, TN31 6TA

Website:     www.nice-work.org.uk