Shalfleet CoE Primary pupil, Evalyn, has been revealed as the winner of Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s Schools Walk medal design competition, in the event’s 20th year.
With just days to go before Walk the Wight 2026, sponsored by the Isle of Wight Festival and Red Funnel, and Schools Walk the Wight, sponsored by Rouse Limited, Mountbatten CEO, Becky McGregor has presented Evalyn with the first medal to feature her design.
Evalyn learned of her win at a celebration assembly. Her design has been replicated on around 1,000 medals, which will be presented to Schools Walk finishers at Alum Bay.
Beaming with pride
“I’m very proud everyone’s going to wear it on the day,” the ten-year-old said.
Her design features an iconic Mountbatten sunflower depicted as a friendly character holding walking poles, against a backdrop of blue, green and white, reminiscent of the Walk the Wight route’s rolling hills and big skies. The design includes the words, ‘Walk the Wight proves we should never give up.’
Evalyn said,
“I picked a sunflower because people wear them, and the walking poles because lots of people hike up hills.”
Behind the design
Dad, Nick, and mum, Sue, attended the assembly (keeping it secret by telling Evalyn they were coming only because it was her dad’s day off and he doesn’t usually get to go).
Nick said,
“I’m beaming with pride.
“I’m bursting at the seams, I really am. We managed to keep it a secret for about ten days!”
Sue said,
“Evalyn spends hours at the kitchen table, drawing and sketching away. She’s a budding artist. We’re really proud of what she wrote on the medal. They’re all her own words. It means a lot and it’s an amazing cause.”
Evalyn is no stranger to the Schools Walk. The worst part is your aching legs, she said, but the best part is feeling like you’ve achieved something and raising money for people – those who need Mountbatten’s support through death dying and bereavement, 24/7 in homes, our hospice and through the John Cheverton Centre.
McGregor: The pinnacle of it
Mountbatten CEO, Becky McGregor, said,
“It’s an absolutely amazing achievement. We looked at three hundred different entries and Evelyn’s really stood out. I particularly loved both the little sunflower character and the quote, which was just brilliant. I always love coming to present the medal to the competition winner. It’s a real privilege and really encapsulates what the Schools Walk is all about.”
Evalyn’s form tutor, Paula Blackley, said,
“Evalyn’s amazing and it’s lovely to see her creativity. Shalfleet Primary has been involved in the Schools Walk since the beginning so having one of the children design the medal is the pinnacle of it!”
Evalyn was also handed a certificate featuring her design.
Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s Schools Walk is one of a number of ways to Walk the Wight.
The 26.5 mile main walk, the eight-mile flat walk and two half walks (starting and finishing at Carisbrooke) will also take place on Sunday, 10th May.
How to sign up to Walk the Wight and the Schools Walk
The family friendly, Schools Walk the Wight welcomes all ages to take part in the last four miles of the iconic Walk the Wight route, over Tennyson Downs. From 9.30am, there is music and live dance performances, and a warm-up. The walk sets off at 11am.
The Schools Walk is FREE to sign up and a parent/guardian walks for free. There is no minimum age to enjoy the Schools Walk.
Sign up before 9am on Thursday, 7th May to:
- Pay £15
- Collect your walker number at either: Your chosen start line, on Sunday, 10th May 2026; OR at Mountbatten Isle of Wight on Saturday, 9th May (between 9am and 4pm).
- Sign up on the website
- Don’t forget to order your merch, including new branded caps and socks and the iconic Walk the Wight T-Shirt.
News shared by Lucy on behalf of Mountbatten. Ed
