It doesn’t seem that long ago since we reported on the 2019 Male trail.
Back then the event saw 400 men come toghether to walk 8 miles all in aid of Rowcroft Hospice.
Now in 2020, Rowcroft are celebrating a massive 600 men walking those 8 miles, a monumental achievement.
The 600 were compromised of a lot of returning people that made up the original 400, and a few new faces.
It is thought that as a result of the efforts made by everyone that took part in the 2020 male trail they will have raised in excess of £60,000 which will help Rowcroft Hospice provide care and support to patients and families living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.
Sponsored by local businesses
The 2020 Male Trail was successfully sponsored by Bays Brewery, WBW Solicitors and Accounting 4 Everything.
Alison Upton, Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager said:
Having the support of local sponsors has made such a difference to the event this year. It means that more of the money raised can go directly to patients and their families. We would also like to say a massive thankyou to Torquay Rugby Club for hosting the event and to Teignmouth Morrisons for providing all of our hungry participants and volunteers with a well-deserved pasty at the end of the walk.
Haka Style
Like last year the 2020 Male Trail landed on the same day as England were playing Wales in the Six Nations Rugby Championship.
So upon arrival the men were greeted with a haka style warm-up.
The routine passed a number of conveniently large sized watering holes and tied in with the final day of the Six Nations Rugby which was shown across the big screens in a hospitality marquee following successful completion of the walk.
Alongside the rugby the men were treated to a delicious tasting pasty and of course no rugby match would be complete without a cheeky pint or 2.
Of course this event, and the 608 men participants, would not have been possible if Rowcroft didn’t have the support of the 80 passionate and extremely helpful volunteers who generously gave up their Saturday to help run the event as safely and smoothly as possible.
Words from the volunteers
Izzy Hopkins, aged 13, from Torquay, volunteered alongside her mother and helped in collecting the much-anticipated pasties from Teignmouth, Morrisons and delivered them to Torquay Rugby club. Izzy said:
Volunteering at Rowcroft events is a really good use of free time and for teenagers, it’s a really good thing to have on your CV. I love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they come together for Rowcroft.
Matt Stevens, 35 from Paignton, walked the 2020 Male Trail in memory of his Nan, Betty, who spent her final days in the comfort and care of Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit in Torquay:
I am taking part today to say thank you to Rowcroft for everything they did for my Nan. They made her so comfortable and made such a difference. Today is brilliant; it’s a really good walking route and all the volunteers keep you really motivated along the way.”
2020 Male Trail, an amazing achievement:
Rowcroft’s Event Manager, Alexia Croft, is thrilled with the amount raised for local patients and families in need of Rowcroft’s services. She went on to say:
“Well it’s fair to say that The Male Trail could be giving The Sleep Walk a run for its money now! The men of South Devon have really opened their hearts to this event and it makes us feel so proud to see how incredible their fundraising efforts have been.
Thank you to all the men who signed up and fundraised, to all of our dedicated volunteers, to the local businesses who have been so generous, and thank you to all of Rowcroft’s amazing female supporters who encouraged the men in their lives to sign up. We would also like to thank all of the pubs who were so welcoming to our participants; walking eight miles can be thirsty work!”
Ladies, the men have had their turn, now its yours. Join the Sleep Walk on Saturday 4th July 2020. For more details visit www.rowcroftsleepwalk.org.uk
