Transition Island Blog

Around 10,000 people took part in the recent Walk the Wight in aid of Newport’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The full walk across the Island is 26.5 miles between Bembridge and Alum Bay. There is a newly-introduced eight-mile Flat Walk along the cycle path from Sandown to Newport, approximately half the distance. (Photo from County Press)

Walk the WIght was created during the early Spring days of 1991 by two old friends who loved walking, and started walking for charity. It has become the largest annual fund raising event on the Island. 

perfect conditions

Early morning cloud and drizzle were replaced by glorious sunshine as participants walked, ran, stilt-walked, hobbled and limped their way across the Island.

Hospice fundraiser Karen Eeles said: “After last year’s torrential rain, who would have thought we’d get so many people? The atmosphere was fantastic.”

growing event

Before Sunday, 8,275 walkers had registered to walk either the and organisers have estimated that more than 1,000 more registered on the day. Local people of all ages and abilities joined in, and lots of youngsters - and dogs - also took part..

Fundraisers are hoping the total raised will exceed last year’s figure of £230,000.

This is a growing event, having raised £200,000 in 2006 and £217,000 in 2007. Walker numbers have also risen, with over 5,000 last year having grown to an estimated 10,000 this year.

individuals help

So often, the question “But what can I do?” comes up when we’re faced with environmental problems - even those we want to contribute to solving.

‘Walk the Wight’ is a great example of what can be achieved by individuals who work together as a team.

Action:
Volunteer!

Tens of thousands of people combined forces to clean-up a nation recently.

Estonian people scoured fields, streets, forests and riverbanks on Saturday to amass tonnes of rubbish in the Baltic state’s first national clean-up.

Locating illegal dumps and assorted junk by internet mapping and GPS systems, they aimed to collect up to 10,000 tonnes of rubbish.

Every kind of junk from tractor batteries to plastic bottles and paint tins was located and ferried to central dumps, often in people’s own vehicles.

new mind-sets

“It is not really about the rubbish. It is about changing people’s mind sets. Next year it might be something else,” said Tiina Urm, spokeswoman for the Let’s Do It! event.

(more…)

Cowes - ”more than just world class yacht racing”

Open Space Discussion Topics included:

Community, Green Power, Food, Transport

Index of All Topics Discussed

Agreed:
The group agreed to stay in touch by email and mull over starting a Steering Group.