On Sunday October 16th, 2011, a group of us will walk 24 miles over the South Downs Way - from Petersfield to Winchester - in an attempt to raise £6,000 for the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group. This is our fourth year doing this - last year we just about reached our target total of £6,000; and this year we're hoping to do the same. There will also be a shorter walk on the day of approximately 11 miles - the long walkers will liase with the shorter walkers at the village of Exton, and we'll all then walk/hobble into Winchester together. Some of our asylum seeker clients will, as always, be walking with us too.

The long walk means nine hours of steep and challenging hiking, and is a very tough ask even for the super-fit, so for most of us these are painful hours indeed. So please sponsor us for as much money as you can afford. 

The SWVG (www.swvg-refugees.org.uk) is a small registered charity which gives personal, practical and financial support to asylum seekers, especially those made destitute by current government policy. The £6,000 we raised last year was absolutely crucial to the group, enabling us to provide vital humanitarian help and support towards some of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised members of our communities. A number of the SWVG's grants weren't renewed this year, and thus we are truly DESPERATE for whatever money you might be able to send our way. We don't care how little - we appreciate all of it. So please - we implore you - SPONSOR US NOW. 

Here is a list of our noble 2011 walkers. Please feel free to leave a personalized message of support.
*drumroll please*

24-milers:

Catherine Allerton

Osman Bah

Jackie Batchelor

Mike Batchelor

Roger Bratchell

Paul Erdpresser

Seb Hunter

Graham Judd

Sixpence Mutambo

Rodney Troubridge

11-milers:

Francesca Winwood Bratchell

Ollie Winwood Bratchell

Celia Cox

Tracey Winwood

Faye Brewster

Zenia Figueroa-Lee

Bridget Goom

Carl Hackett

Mary Hackett

Xanthe Hackett

Zoe Hackett

Tamsin Hutchinson

Christine Knight

David Knight

John Launder

Traiphine Maguwu

Andrew White

This year there will also be a more easygoing, circular walk along the Itchen Valley. Anyone who is interested, please get to Angela Sealey's house - Wistaria, Park Road, Winchester, SO23 7BE for 10.45am on Sunday, 16th October, bringing a packed lunch. Anyone wishing to walk with this group, please e-mail or ring Angela to let her know.

Itchen Valley walkers:

Walkers, please use and abuse this page to attract sponsorship from friends, family, colleagues, casual acquaintances and pets. If you'd like to join us on the walk then we'd love to have you: please contact Seb Hunter at sebhunter@hotmail.com and I'll add you to this list.

Please forward this link to as many people as you can!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks,

The Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group