33 pictures as 25th Bridge the Gap charity walk in Cambridge attracts more than 2,100 walkers
The highest number of walkers for a decade took part in this year’s Bridge the Gap charity walk and it raised more than £53,000 for charities.
The 25th annual walk on Sunday morning (14 September) featured 2,156 walkers taking part on a route that started and finished on Parker’s Piece.
Organised and in aid of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill, the walk weaved its way through seven University of Cambridge colleges – Emmanuel, Sidney Sussex, Trinity, Darwin, Corpus Christi, Pembroke and Downing.
Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who joined us on Sunday and took part in the 25th Bridge the Gap. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support our two charities.
“This is such a special event and we are extremely grateful to each of the colleges for their enthusiastic support in providing access to their beautiful grounds. I also want to thank all the route marshals who volunteered and gave their time freely, to enable the walkers to have a great experience and everyone who contributed in any way to yet another successful Bridge the Gap event.”
Some 150 volunteers supported the event as route marshals, registering walkers as they checked-in, serving cakes and preparing the site at Parker’s Piece, with 20 volunteers from the Society of Cambridge Tourist Guides (SOCTG) posted throughout the route to provide walkers with expert insight about the history of the colleges being visited.
Walkers were also entertained by Waterbeach Brass Band at Emmanuel College and The Collaboration Choir in Downing College and returned to Parker’s Piece to hear Cottenham Brass Band and Malcolm Fovargue, and see the East Anglia Swing Troupe dance.
The £53,000 sum already raised is expected to rise as donations and sponsorships continue to come in.
The Cambridge Building Society, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary, continued as headline sponsor of the event, which was also sponsored by Cambridge University Press and Assessment and the Rotary Club of Cambridge. Their support helped to cover the costs.
The event was supported once again by the Cambridge Independent and Cambridge Radio,
Since it was launched in 2001, more than 49,000 walkers have now helped to raise more than £750,000.
Neil Perry, chief executive of Cambridge-based charity Romsey Mill, which creates opportunities for more than 2,000 local young people, children and families each year, said: “The 25th Bridge the Gap was a suitably special day. Thank you to everyone who took part – walkers, volunteers, singers and dancers and our sponsors and event partners who helped to plan the event.
“I love how this event uniquely brings so many different aspects of Cambridge together for a great day, and I look forward to seeing everyone again, next year.”
Peter Burrows, CEO of The Cambridge Building Society, said: “We are proud and delighted to be able to help fund, plan and deliver Bridge the Gap for the 17th time, in what is a special year for both the event and for us at The Cambridge.
“This unique community event supports two great local charities and shows Cambridge at its best.
“We had more than 100 people from our team and their families taking part, as well as providing many volunteers on the day. It was great to see so many happy faces on the route and at Parker’s Piece.”