Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2018 | Page 48

Local Scene Walk the Wight Thousands of Islanders took part in the annual Walk the Wight event this May. It was blessed with perfect weather and the flagship fund-raiser highlighted once again the Island’s incredible sense of community in raising funds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. It is estimated that over 8,000 men, women, children and dogs took part, with the numbers being boosted by those signing up on the day itself. This was thanks, no doubt, to the beautiful Spring weather. Walking the entire route was Elaine Harris, whose father Bill Bradley was founder of Walk the Wight, along with colleague Frank Stevens. Elaine said: “It’s fantastic every year, the lump gets in my throat at some point, it’s just the most amazing feeling! Dad would have been blown away, just blown away by what’s happened to his little baby which has grown so huge and is so fantastic.” Many chose to dress up for the occasion, including a group of three leprechauns, a man covered in balloons, children dressed as bumblebees and Mountbatten Nurses Jackie Whiller and Theresa Macnamara, and Mountbatten Healthcare Assistant Jane Tizard were appropriately dressed as sunflowers! Pictures by Laura Holme More pictures available to buy online from our website: www.visitilife.com 48 www.visitilife.com