Well we did it: kids and dogs, those who’d done it last year and newbies, one lovely gentleman who was looking for a different walking group but joined ours instead, the fit and the reluctant, hospitality professionals, the curious, friends, and supporters. More than double last year’s number took part in the 2025 Walk for Wellbeing at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve on Sunday October 12, all of us led by the inspirational Craig Prentice, founder of this national event. In total, I’m proud to say that, even in these straightened times, we raised over £1,200.
Our own Kt Bruce gave her time, as did her husband Martin, making sure that the moment was recorded for posterity, social media, and this newspaper. Rye News‘ latest recruit, Nathalie Desgrange, was part of our group with her partner Mark, as we made our way towards the red hut, down to the sea, along the gabion wall and eventually back across country. Our walk was part of the Walk It Your Way initiative and we completed about 8.5 km.
We were all there to raise money for the incredible work of Hospitality Action. Nearly 200 years old, this charity is UK Hospitality’s safety net. Since 2020 alone, £6 million has been spent supporting 15,000 hospitality people. They’ve unlocked nearly £1 million in unclaimed benefits and given a further £6 million in grants to those in need.
What started six years ago as 20 people walking along the river Thames has grown into a nationwide movement, with over a 1000 people signed up so far this year.
Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Manchester are holding 20k walks. And if you’re in the North East, Newcastle has a walk, or in the South West, head to The Lost Gardens of Heligan. This Sunday October 19, Craig will host the London 20km walk through Battersea Park.
I felt like I’d climbed Kilimanjaro, but for seasoned walker Sergio, it was just a stroll through the reserve. When we got home, as I was finally able to enjoy my espresso and fried eggs on toast, posting and scrolling through social media, I came across what had been happening 450km away in York. This year is their first Walk For Wellbeing. The sun shone for them and they had mustered about 50 walkers, but the thing that jumped out at me was that their town crier had started them on their merry way… We had spent our morning, surrounded by the wild beauty of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, but hang on, are you thinking what I’m thinking for next year?
Walk For Wellbeing ends on Sunday October 26, so you’ve still got time to join another Walk It Your Way, or donate to Hospitality Action.
Thank you to everyone who took part, thank you to all who have or will donate, but above all thank you to Craig Prentice, the embodiment of ‘Be a WE, not a ME’.
Image Credits: Martin Bruce , Craig Prentice , Kt Bruce , Natasha Robinson .