Charity walks raises more than £30,000 for local charities

Cambridge’s iconic annual Bridge the Gap charity walk raised more than £30,000 for two local charities in its first in-person event since before Covid.

More than 1,500 people walked around the city and through some of its historic colleges in September and raised £30,371 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

The annual walk is sponsored by The Cambridge Building Society and organised by, and in aid of the two charities, who will split the total equally.

It was launched in 2001 and returned to an in-person event for the first time since 2019, after being postponed in the intervening two years due to the pandemic. The route took in six of Cambridge’s Colleges – Emmanuel, Sidney Sussex, Gonville and Caius, King’s, Pembroke, and Downing.

Sharon Allen OBE, CEO of ARHC, said: “It was wonderful to finally return to an in-person event and we are tremendously grateful to the many people who come out to support Romsey Mill and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“The total of nearly £30,400 will go a long way to ensuring our two charities can continue to do the vital work that the local community has come to expect from us.”

Neil Perry, Chief Executive of Romsey Mill, said: “It was wonderful to see the sense of joy and community that was evident on the day, as the walkers all enjoyed a great occasion, thanks to the efforts of so many people.

“We are thankful to the many volunteers who gave their time. And to our sponsors: The Cambridge Building Society,

Rotary Club of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and TTP; and event partners Cambridge 105 Radio and the Co-op, all of whom helped to ensure a hugely successful event.”

CEO of headline sponsor, The Cambridge, Peter Burrows, said: “Bridge the Gap is one of the annual events that our people and members particularly look forward to, which is why we are always so happy to lend our support as headline sponsor.

“It was terrific to be able to join so many members of our own team, and our charity partners, in a return to a physical event. We are already looking forward to this year’s walk and hope to be able to raise even more funds to help the charities continue their work.”

This year’s Bridge the Gap walk will take place on Sunday 10 September.

CPSL Mind announced as Keystone’s Charity of the Year

The Keystone team will be drawing on its experience of marketing strategy and community engagement to consult with CPSL Mind’s in-house fundraising and communications teams at no charge; offering considered advice and fresh perspectives to help maximise marketing activities and outcomes.

Keystone’s new fundraising page on Just Giving will also encourage direct donations to the cause across the year.

Speaking of the new partnership, Keystone’s Managing Director Hayley Williams said:

“I’m so pleased to have reignited our Charity of the Year initiative. We’ve always gifted time and expertise to help local causes elevate their work, and this renewed annual commitment gives us the opportunity to build a long-standing relationship and make a prolonged impact. In the last year alone, CPSL Mind supported the mental health of over 4000 local people. The services provided at a grassroots level really are crucial, and we’re ready to play our part in making a difference in the geographical area in which the majority of the Keystone team live and work.”

Fundraising Manager Gary Sutcliffe and Keystone’s Hayley originally met through a Networking with Purpose Breakfast in the summer of 2022; an initiative developed by Cambridge-based social entrepreneur Rachel Hales from Get Synergised. The event was driven to connect businesses, charities and social enterprises for the greater good, and the idea of this new official corporate partnership was developed thereafter.

The first activity that this new partnership will support is the campaign to encourage participation in the 2023 Chiltern 50 Challenge on 23 September 2023. Individuals or teams can raise valuable funds for CPSL Mind by joining their team and walking, jogging or running along historic trails and over rolling hills in the Chilterns countryside.

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