Please join us for the London 2012 Hope Walk:
Saturday 12th May 2012!
1. Map, 1 3. Directions 1 4. Directions 2
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Download a Registration Form here. Please email Melanie Spring if you would like further information or if you are interested in arranging a Hope Walk in your own area. |
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What A Great Day The 2011 London Hope Walk Was!
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The 2011 London Hope Walk, organised by the lovely Jo Martin took place on Saturday 7th May and was supported by over 100 walkers and a small army of volunteers. Passengers on the 8:15 and 8:45 trains from Clapham Junction to Hampton Court Station were treated to splashes of colour when we boarded the trains sporting bunches of pink helium balloons and our eye catching Myotubular Trust t-shirts. Click to see the 2011 London Hope Walk album. |
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The weather got off to a very shaky start with many of us having left home in heavy showers but thankfully, by the time we set off, the sun was breaking through and raincoats were duly abandoned and t-shirts proudly displayed.
Once the now obligatory warm up exercises, led by Lizzie Geffen, had been completed and watched in wonder by passers by, we set off. We’d not gone more than 10 yards when the first onlooker stopped us to see what we were doing – the result of the conversation being a £10 donation!
We were, as ever, really amazed by the numbers - there were lots of new walkers with us this year as well as many familiar faces. We were fortunate to have received great support yet again from Capgemini Consulting who brought along a team of 30 walkers. It was also lovely to have been joined by ‘Team Jack’ who were recruited by Karen and Terry who walked last year in memory of Karen’s son, Jack and we are grateful to them for having travelled so far to take part.
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The route was slightly shorter than in previous years – we are reliably informed that we walked 17.8 miles, along the stunning River Thames towpath from Hampton Court to Wandsworth Park. It is a beautiful route and we were treated to various snacks at pit stops at Richmond and Barnes – thank you so much to Ilaria, Katy and their children who did such a great job of keeping us all refreshed and sat patiently awaiting all of the walkers to pass through.
At one pit stop, whilst chatting to some fellow walkers, we discovered that Tanbir, who was a member of the Capgemini Consulting team, was taking part in a triathlon later in the day; we hope that it went well Tanbir!
During the course of the same conversation, it came to light that two other members of the same group, Kimberley Myers-Dennis and her husband, Paul, had run the 11 miles from their home to the walk start line. This is the second year that Kimberley has run to the start line and impressed us hugely.
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Jo Martin and Ginny Wood cycled this year so that they were able to look after everyone. It was really lovely to see them going to and fro along the route giving us much welcome words of encouragement, bottles of water and assuring us that we didn’t have far to go.
The first walker to cross the finish line at Wandsworth Park was Johanna Davis, in a remarkable 4 hours. Johanna’s time was so impressive that she finished ahead of our cycling duo although, in fairness, they were going backwards and forwards!
The sun was shining by the time we reached the finish and it was lovely to be greeted by so many friends and relatives who came along to join us for a picnic and to take home weary walkers. The last walkers to arrive came in at about 5:30 having made a real day out of the walk – they had a couple of leisurely stops for tea and cake in the morning and a nice pub lunch.
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Once plasters had been administered to the odd blister, picnic blankets were packed away, maps were discarded and we made our way home feeling suitably proud having had a wonderful day which was all photographed by the ever loyal and lovely Chrysoulla Kyprianou who appeared at various points en route to help us capture some magical memories.
Thank you to everybody who was involved in making this a truly amazing day.
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Click here to see the 2011 photo album Click here to see the 2010 photo album
WHY?
The first ever Myotubular Trust 20 mile Thames Walk was arranged by three of our wonderful supporters, Lizzie, Jo and Laura, in 2008, as they really wanted to make a difference.
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‘We became involved when one of the girls in our NCT class, Anne Lennox, had a baby boy called Tom, born with Myotubular Myopathy. Sadly after bravely fighting the condition for almost 4 years Tom died in May 2007. It is great to think that we are doing something so positive to remember him by and to support other families with children with myotubular myopathy.’ Lizzie, Jo and Laura |
Ever since, the walk has been a huge success; over 60 walkers took part this year and raised an amazing £28,000 between them. If you are interested in taking part, or have any friends, relatives or colleagues who might be, please contact Melanie Spring on contact@myotubulartrust.org