Participants will set off from Parker’s Piece, calling at Downing College and Corpus Christi, cross King’s Parade and meander through St Catharine’s, before re-joining King’s Parade and traversing the River Cam onto Queen’s Road. Looping back into the city centre, those taking part will then follow the path along Park Street to enter Jesus College and Christ’s College, before exiting on to St. Andrew’s Street. An exciting highlight for many this year will be the inclusion of an underground tunnel, which Bridge the Gap walkers will pass through to reach Emmanuel College, the last of the seven Colleges featured this year.
The start is staggered over the morning, with the first walkers setting off at 9.30am and the last by 10.30am, meaning that both early birds and slightly later risers can enjoy the circular wheelchair and pushchair friendly walk, of around five miles.
Dr Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity comments: “There are some wonderful highlights in store with this year’s walk. I have personally visited the Colleges to meet with their staff and it has been a super opportunity to find out nuggets of information, which will both intrigue and delight our participants. With this being the sixteenth year of Bridge the Gap, you may think it is a challenge to come up with new highlights but thanks to the Colleges’ support I am confident that we have once again created a super route.
"This year we also have a new surprise: golden tickets! If you’re a lucky winner and find one in your goody bag, you could be walking away with tickets to The Cambridge Roar Comedy Night, Sunday lunch at the Royal Cambridge Hotel or an Afternoon Tea at Quy Mill Hotel and Spa, to look forward to.”
Nearly 700 people have already signed up and it is anticipated that once again more than 2000 people will take part in this unique Cambridge event. All of the money raised from entry fees will be shared equally between local charities Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.
Neil Perry, Chief Executive of Romsey Mill adds: “The anticipation for this year’s Bridge the Gap walk is really starting to build and we are looking forward to a cracking day out! Alongside the walk itself, there will be musical entertainment, child-friendly activities, cake, food and hot drink stalls at Parkers Piece once you cross the finish line. It’s the kind of walk which can be shared with family and friends or done by yourself, with the bonus that you will be helping to improve the quality of lives of those living within our county, just by taking part. Be sure to register before 10 September!”
Bridge the Gap is very much a collaborative event with many of the City’s businesses and organisations loyally supporting the walk each year. Both Cambridge Building Society - also the event’s headline sponsor - and Cambridge University Press have more than 70 walkers taking part on their behalf and additionally lend their help with organisation up to and during the event.
Chief Executive of The Cambridge Building Society, Stephen Mitcham added: “Once again I’m delighted to see so many of our team getting involved, by taking part in the walk or supporting the running of the event on Parker’s Piece. Their commitment and enthusiasm just goes to show how much of a highlight Bridge the Gap is to The Cambridge. We’re looking forward to another great day.”
Registration is open until 1pm on Friday 8 September at a cost of just £18 per adult, which includes up to four children (under 18 years) free of charge, so quite a small fee for what is guaranteed to be fun day for all the family! If you miss the registration deadline, you can pay on the day between 9.00am and 10.00am at a cost of £20 per adult, again with up to four children included at no extra cost. Walkers may also like to support the charities through walk sponsorship or donations.
To register visit arhc.org.uk/bridgethegap or pick up a registration form from any branch of The Cambridge Building Society, where staff will be happy to answer questions and share their experiences of the walk both as volunteers and participants.
A further discount is available to organisations, friends or corporate groups of 10 or more who might be looking for a team building activity or social outing. This is only available until Tuesday 29 August so to find out more, request a booking form or register under the group entry option, contact Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s fundraising office on 01223 675888 before that date.
Karen and Lucha – whose husband and Dad was cared for by the Arthur Rank Hospice in 2010 and who have taken part in the walk every year for some time – speak about what they enjoy about it, at the Hospice’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeXGq4KlKtw
Image:Walkers admire the beautiful Colleges on last year’s Bridge the Gap.
Facts
- Bridge the Gap walk sees every penny raised from the entry fee going directly to the benefiting charities.
- The event is sponsored by The Cambridge Building Society, TTP Group, Cambridge Assessment, The Rotary Club of Cambridge and various local stores of The Co-Operative.
- In 2016, the total reached over £46,000 and the walk welcomed more than 2,000 people, giving them the opportunity to discover and explore the majestic architecture and stunning grounds of Cambridge’s iconic colleges.
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