We are so proud of the 89 walkers who took on the Jurassic Walk Challenge 2024 raising a record-breaking amount of money for the McCarthy Stone Foundation.
It was a very hot day which made the 29km and 48km of hills even more gruelling for walkers and the volunteers supporting them.
Starting in Weymouth at 5.30am on 31st July, the first 48 walkers enjoyed the beautiful sunrise across the bay. They were then joined at Lulworth Cove mid-morning by the remaining walkers taking on the 29km challenge.
The running group (with boundless energy!) completed the 48km challenge in an amazing 8 hrs, while the walkers took between 11 and 14 hours to reach the finish line in Swanage.
We are so grateful to our dedicated team of 12 McCarthy Stone volunteers who gave up their day to support the walkers at 15 checkpoints. Handing out water, ice pops and sweets, they gave the walkers the boost they needed in their most challenging moments.
All of this was made possible thanks to the safety cover and support of the amazing Land & Wave Adventure Company. Their team of 11 qualified instructors plus 4 minibuses across the route ensured that every single walker was looked after from start to finish.
Thanks to the Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust and Lily Catering, all the walkers and volunteers were rewarded with cold drinks and a hot meal at the end of the challenge. The Centre in Swanage which is managed by the Development trust was the perfect venue and the proceeds from the bar will go directly to the local community.
The money raised for the Foundation from this event, is way beyond what we had expected and this is thanks to the amazing generosity of our walker’s friends and family, plus McCarthy Stone homeowners and suppliers.
This money will all be matched by McCarthy Stone, doubling the impact of the donations and with the gift aid contributions, together you have raised more than £50,000!
This will be used to fund small grassroots charities and community groups across the most deprived areas of the country, helping to reduce loneliness amongst older people.
It will help befriending charities, dementia groups, small community luncheons, men’s sheds, care home visitors and will help so many isolated older people who may otherwise be forgotten about.
To learn more about the work of the Foundation please visit our website https://mccarthystonefoundation.org/ or watch our Year in Review video below
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
