Charity News

NIJMEGEN 2022

(104th 4 DAAGSE)

by Wing Commander Suzi Senior

Well, what an experience this year’s event was – after a break of 2 years I participated once again, along with my husband Dave, in this year’s 4 Day March centred around Nijmegen in Holland. We decided that we would raise money for Dereham Cancer Care – a small local charity very dear to both our hearts. This was my 14th time taking part in 4 x 40 km distance – 10 as part of or leading a Military Team from / to Kamp Heumensoord and the last 4 as a civilian entry starting and finishing at the Wedren in the centre of Nijmegen itself.

The unprecedented weather resulted in day 1 being cancelled for everyone - the problem being that the walk is mainly on roads and the ground temperature would be far more than the 40+ air temperature - even with start times of 0445 and 0545 hrs. Day 2 was in the 30’s, Day 3 (the day of the hills) was warm but the wettest I have ever experienced with water running down the roads like rivers because the drains couldn’t cope and Day 4 was again in the high 20’s / low 30’s.

What an event though, with 38,455 starters and 34,934 finishers (about a 91% success rate) it’s called the Walk of the World and really is like the Olympics for walkers. The support en-route from the locals is truly amazing with music, water hoses / sprinklers, all kinds of food, drink and sweets being handed out to keep everyone going – the atmosphere is like nothing else that I have ever experienced and crossing that finishing line gives you such a sense of achievement.

A highly recommended event even if you only do it once – watch out though you may get the bug which is why Dave and I will be there again next year! Thank you to everyone that sponsored us – with Gift Aid we raised just over £1,000.

Complete

As the sun went down on Clapham Common on Sat 14th May (and the temperature plummeted) Sqn Ldr Ali Sandeman stretched out her walking legs, donned her ‘Super Hero Bra’ and headed out for a marathon’s worth of miles firmly on her mind and plenty of music on her IPod.

On a mission to make the most of a million, give or take, steps to help raise millions of pounds for Breast Cancer Awareness and keep the ‘Footometer’ rising, she could be seen imitating Harley Quinn, pounding the London pavements and roads overnight to complete the challenge with 5,000 other walkers. With many of London’s famous landmarks lit up in pink, it was certainly a sight to be beheld.

“It was so nice to be back at a live event in London, especially after doing the virtual Over the Moon last year and spending a day on my own walking around Buckinghamshire. I got to catch up with some of my old Muckers, ‘such fun’ was definitely restored!” ‘Walk the Walk’ is tickling the toes of that magical £5 million this year.