Walk for Hope – raising over £700 for Wessex Cancer Trust

Band members starting walk in New Forest

Starting our Walk for Hope at Hightown Common

On Sunday 6 September at 10am, five musicians from the Bournemouth and District Concert Band –  as a team named ‘The Musicians’ Legs’ – gathered at Hightown Common car park in the New Forest ready to take on the 10-mile Walk for Hope challenge to raise money for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Simon, Sue, Bev, Nick and Graham successfully completed 10.77 miles in 4 hours 59 minutes. This included a long lunch break at Linford Bottom, where Bev treated us to a delicious ice cream!

Band members with an ice cream in New Forest

Stopping for a rest and a sugar hit!

At the start of our journey, Bev asked us to count animals. Along the way we encountered 61 New Forest ponies, 15 cows, 16 beetles, one woodpecker and many other birds, and of course lots of dogs – luckily all with their owners.

Raising funds for the Wessex Cancer Trust was a great motivation for us to complete this challenge. We set ourselves a target to raise £200, which we are delighted to report was achieved and surpassed. Thanks to all our sponsors, the total currently stands, including gift aid, at £707.05.

Band members with drinks at pub

Rewarding ourselves with a socially-distanced drink at the pub!

It was a lovely walk and talk, a nice chilled day all in aid of a very worthwhile cause.

Finished even more chilled with a visit to the musicians’ favourite haunt, the pub.

By bassoonist Graham

For anyone wishing to donate, our ‘Musicians’ Legs’ Walk for Hope charity page is still open where you can give some pennies.

For more on our New Forest charity walk, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.