Guernsey Press

Walkers tackle poverty with their 19km effort

ABOUT 1,000 people took part in the 49th annual World Aid Walk yesterday.

Published
The 2019 World Aid Walk sets off from Market Square down the steps into the Arcade. (24593738)

They were raising money for five charities – ActionAid, Christian Aid, The Eleanor Foundation, This is Epic and The Tumaini Fund.

They walked to the theme of Fighting poverty with heart and sole.

The Overseas Aid & Development Commission again agreed to match money raised pound for pound up to £5,000 per participating charity.

The 19km circular route started and finished in Market Square, going via Rousse, Port Soif, and Saumarez Park, with about 150 people taking part in a parallel event in Herm. Walkers left Market Square to the sound of a samba drum band.

The Specsavers-sponsored event was started by company founder, Dame Mary Perkins, and Lord Digby Jones, both of whom were doing the walk.

‘I think Dr Susan Wilson, from The Tumaini Fund, summed it up in the video when she said that for the price of a cappuccino you could save a child in Africa from Malaria,’ said Lord Jones.

‘It’s lovely to see so many families taking part and there are lots of people with dogs too.’

Quintin Petit was volunteered to walk by daughter Ayla, 9, who heard about it at an assembly at Vale Primary School.

Estate agent John Le Tissier, 56, who was walking with wife Stephanie, 52, said his first World Aid Walk had been more than 30 years ago.

Mrs Le Tissier said: ‘The weather last year was horrendous and we literally got sandblasted. It was the worst I could ever remember and we felt as if we were being blown backwards.’

IT manager Quentin Petit, 43, was walking with daughter, Ayla, 9, who goes to the Vale Primary School, and who had raised £100.

‘Ayla heard about it in an assembly at school and she volunteered me,’ he said. ‘She is very energetic, loves walking, and wants to do the Rotary one [round-the-island] next.’

Finance worker Iain Lowe, wife Katie, and their sons, Louie, 6, and Alfie, 5, were also taking part after Louie heard about the event at La Mare de Carteret Primary School.

‘We like being outside as a family and keeping active and Guernsey is the perfect place to do it,’ said Mr Lowe.

Walking for fun and a great cause. Left to right: Katie Lowe, son Louie, family friend Jack Watson, son Alfie and husband Iain. (Pictures by guernseysportsphotography.com)

Lisa Truffitt, 54, was walking with daughter, Christina Staples, 32, who works in finance.

‘We both enjoy walking on the beaches and the coast,’ said Ms Truffitt. ‘The last time I took part in this was when I was at school and the distance was 20 miles.’

Learning support assistant Jackie Lee, walked with daughter, Freya, 13, who goes to Ladies’ College.

Freya said it was a fun thing to do. Her mother said it was a lovely day and they would be meeting up with friends so there was a social side too.

In re

Mother and daughter Jackie and Freya Lee await the start of the walk.

In recent years the event has raised between £20,000 and £25,000. World Aid Walk chairwoman Bella Farrell hoped that a sum approaching £50,000 could have been raised yesterday given the favourable conditions. She thanked everybody for their support.

. Further details can be found at www.worldaidwalk.org.gg.