Rowcroft Hospice is delighted to announce that its much-loved fundraising walk ‘The Male Trail’ is back for 2023 with an awesome new name: ‘The Big Tackle’. The charity is asking local people to join this fun and lively eight-mile sponsored walk on Saturday 18 March 2023 to raise vital funds for the hospice. Open to all, the walk will be followed by a free pint and a pasty, and the screening of the Six Nations Rugby at Torquay Rugby Club. Sign-ups are open now at www.thebigtackle.org.uk with an early bird discount of 30% off when using code EPIC before 2 January.
Rowcroft’s Events Manager Alexia Croft said: “We’re switching it up a bit this year with a new name – ‘The Big Tackle’ – which not only resonates with the game of rugby but also highlights the need for us to tackle issues around grief and bereavement that affect us all. Many of the people who take part in our fundraising events do so in memory of someone they love and miss -and it’s so moving to see the names of loved ones written on the memory plates that some people wear, or as dedications on our magnolia tree at the event. In previous events we’ve found that our walkers often gain strength and support from each other by having the time and space to share feelings and experiences.
“The Big Tackle offers all the elements of a fantastic day out with friends while supporting Rowcroft’s specialist care in our local community.”
Last year, over 600 walkers took part in The Male Trail, raising over £80,000 for the hospice. The funds raised this year will again help to care for people living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon, including offering specialist care and support to them and their families.
“In recent months, the hospice has been hit by a drop in donations due to the cost-of-living crisis,” said Rowcroft’s Alexia Croft. “We recognise it’s a difficult time for everyone, and we hope that those who can support us will continue to do so. As a charity providing a vital local service, we are funded predominantly by our wonderful community. With pressures on our services ever increasing as the need for our care continues to rise, we really hope that as many people as possible will get behind us by taking part in The Big Tackle. Each £100 raised in sponsorship could pay for nearly three hours of care to a patient at home in their last two weeks of life, helping them to keep comfortable and pain-free and enabling loved ones to make the most of precious moments.
“We’d like to say a massive thank you to Torquay Rugby Club for their amazing support, and to our fabulous sponsors WBW Solicitors, Torbay Clearance Services and Bays Brewery for supporting The Big Tackle this year,” said Alexia Croft.
Money raised from The Big Tackle will be used to fund Rowcroft’s specialist care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses. Rowcroft’s services are provided free of charge to adults across South Devon – from Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor. Each year the charity cares for over 2,000 patients and their loved ones, helping people to make every day the best day possible and enabling families to share precious moments together.
Anyone over the age of eight years old can take part in The Big Tackle. Book your place before 2 January and get a 30% early bird discount using code EPIC. With this discount applied, it costs just £19.60 to sign up, or £14 for under 18s, and Rowcroft asks participants to either raise or donate a minimum of £20 to support the hospice. For further information, please go to: www.thebigtackle.org.uk
