In the first of our Meet the Walker series we caught up with Rita Hill. There are not many people who can say they have walked round our beautiful Island 24 times but Rita is one of them. This year she will be looking to complete her 25th Island Walk and we wanted to find out what keeps motivating Rita to do it again.
Rita tells us, “It’s a challenge. A sense of achievement and raising money for local charities. On average I’ve raised about £400 to £500 a year but my highest was just over £700.”
Rita, who was born in 1952 (you do the maths) has worked for Longfield Villa Care Home for 21 years. Rita explained that she has many supporters who help get her round and she would like to thank them, Beryl, Mel, Carla, Claire, Lucy, Frank and Kerry have been the biggest encouragement, and not forgetting all those who sponsor all the walkers!
We set Rita some quick fire questions:-
Rita tells us she starts with friends who also like to do the Walk but as they do go at different paces they tend to finish at different times. The finish brings a great sense of achievement and a tear to your eye. When you finish you think never again, but then you get your medal and think of the sponsorship money, “how can I not do it again” and look forward to the next Island Walk!
We want to thank Rita and all those long standing walkers for their commitment to The Island Walk and the money she has raised over the years, we hope to celebrate many more years of Rita enjoying the Walk.
The Island Walk team, TMF Group, charities, volunteers and supporters look forward to welcoming back Rita and all the walkers new and old on 17th June 2023. If you would like to register please sign up now.
