Walk the Wight 2023
by Ivan Burns-Barber
After a successful 2022 walk, FTX Logistics again committed to putting a team together to complete the 26.5 mile Walk the Wight event on the Isle of Wight in aid of Mountbatten Hospice, an end of life hospice based on the Island. Fundraising took off very quickly this year, which was no mean feat given the current financial climate.
The Team was made up of the following:- Jerry Jerman, Dave Purvis, Joe Rose, Ivan Burns-Barber, Simon Mulderig, Jason McQuinn, Andy O’Brien, Lewis Holding, Jason Needs, Ronnie Grundy, Paul Lilley, Terry Linford, Andy Williams, Warren Huntington, Callum O’Neill, Sarah Judkins, Mark Buckingham (Former Sponsored Reserve), John Rose (Friend of Mark)
Friday 12th May
The team formed up in a quiet corner of Bulford vehicle park with Simon Mulderig once again setting up his Quartermasters department to issue the team T-Shirts. Once everyone was together we formed up for a team photo, got the Minibus and trailer packed and set off for Southampton to catch the Red Funnel ferry to Cowes. The ferry was running bang on time and we boarded without fuss. This year we had a pretty quiet crossing, just chatting about the task ahead.
Once in Cowes we made our way to Kitehill Campsite in Wootton, the owner, Lesley remembered us from last year and promptly made us welcome. The camp site was clean with all necessary facilities. Perfect for SRs. Once all lantern swinging had been completed and base camp set up we decided to head into Ryde and sample its delights. The SRs again did not fail to impress with the lateness of the hour that they returned to base camp.
Saturday 13th May.
The morning after the night before.
We headed a few miles down the road to Woodside beach. In order to help FTX in its Social Values commitments and help the local area a bit, so we took part in a litter pick. We spent two hours and covered approximately a mile of beach. The team did well and filled three bin bags. SRs do make great mudlarks and beachcombers.
For the afternoon some stayed on the campsite to enjoy the sun and relax and some headed into Newport to explore. An early night was in order ready for the main event next day. Seeing a group of SRs all heading to bed by 2100 really is an eerie sight.
Sunday 14th May
This years event was again organised really well. At no point were people really gathering, everyone was kept moving throughout by the organisers. The hills caught a few of the first timers unaware. Sarah Judkins made her own way to the Island on the day and set off a little way behind the main group, no mean feat given the extra hours involved with travelling. The rest of the team found its pace and split naturally into smaller groups. On the Island the Walk is a big deal and was being done by all ages, sizes, abilities, everyone was having a go, even a very aged Charlie Chaplin impersonator.
Our shirts once again met with a lot of positive comments from other walkers along the route. Thanks Simon for your design efforts. The weather this year wasn’t as hot as last year thankfully, we even had a thick sea fog move in at the end of the route. The team still managed to fit in plenty of stopping to take in the breathtaking views along the way.
Although some of the terrain was pretty bad under foot, everyone in the team completed the walk. Well done to you all. We collected our medals and found refreshments. We had a few drinks while we all regrouped then headed back to base camp. Once back at base camp there was a lot of hobbling and groaning and comparing of blisters. We barely had the energy to get a BBQ down us.
Monday 15th May
Everyone woke up still feeling sore but camp was collapsed, and we moved back to Bulford.
The journey was a quiet one, partly because of everyone’s aches and pains, but everybody really enjoyed themselves and it was great to have a cross section of the workforce that could integrate together away from the workplace. Plenty of sandbags were pulled up and lanterns swung. The walk organisers ran a fantastic event, the weather was kind, and the views were stunning.
At the time of writing this, our fundraising target of £1600 has been blown out of the water. So far we have raised £3186 so a massive well done and thanks to all involved and all who donated.
Special thanks to the team mentioned at the top. Well done for all your hard work. You made the weekend a great one.
