In pictures: Cambridge event Bridge the Gap is a delight for walkers
A fun, family-friendly atmosphere was the order of the day as the popular Bridge the Gap charity walk, supported by the Cambridge Independent, returned for its first in-person event since 2019.
More than 1,000 people had signed up to take part in the walk, which took place last Sunday (September 11), making its way past some of the city’s best-known sites and raising more than £20,000 for charity.
This year’s route took in six University of Cambridge colleges: Emmanuel, Sidney Sussex, Gonville and Caius, King’s, Pembroke and Downing, and all of the funds raised go to two of the city’s best-loved charities: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.
One of highlights for 2022 was the inclusion of Gonville and Caius College. It was only the second time this particular college had featured since the walk launched in 2001, the first being in 2008.
With access to the colleges kindly granted by the university, the Bridge the Gap committee planned a special route comprising well-known and loved parts of the city, as well as some of its hidden secrets.
Neil Thompson, fundraising and communications manager at Romsey Mill, said it seemed like a “happy event” and added that “the weather was lovely”. The walk started and ended on Parker’s Piece, “where walkers were able to enjoy some entertainment – we had the City of Cambridge Brass Band and Cambridge Swing Dance performance troupe – and enjoy some refreshments,” said Neil.
Neil Perry, chief executive officer of Romsey Mill, added: “It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying Bridge the Gap. The weather was lovely, the route was amazing and the atmosphere on Parker’s Piece was fantastic.
“Thank you to everyone who took part: walkers, volunteers, dancers and brass band members.”
The Cambridge Building Society, headline sponsor for the past 13 years, was joined by TTP Group, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and Cambridge City Rotary Club. Other event partners, besides the Cambridge Independent, included the Co-op and Cambridge 105 Radio.
[Read more: Cambridge charity walk Bridge the Gap to mark 20 years, Cambridge Streets ‘glow green’ with walkers at 2022 Star Shine Night Walk]
CEO of The Cambridge, Peter Burrows, said: “It was great to get back together again for this iconic event. Around half our people took part, which highlights just how supportive we all are of it and the charities it supports.
“It was especially poignant for us this year, as we raised an additional £2,500 in memory of one of our own team members, Paul Crossley, who sadly died recently. He was a huge advocate of Bridge the Gap and we were delighted to honour his memory in this way.”
For more information on Romsey Mill, visit romseymill.org. For more on Arthur Rank Hospice, visit arhc.org.uk.
