Freshwater Bay Golf Club members and fundraisers Steve Orchard and Paul Swain are set to undertake their latest fundraising challenge to raise funds for Freshwater Bay Golf Club Captain’s charity of the year, Independent Arts.
In celebration of Independent Arts’ 35th anniversary
The pair, who in previous years have walked, run, and crawled distances up to 70 miles around the Island, will this year be trekking 35 miles, mapping their route via venues which host each of seven weekly Independent Arts SingAbout groups across the Isle of Wight.
The 35-mile route was designed to incorporate the venues, but also to make up the 35 miles, in celebration of Independent Arts’ 35th anniversary, which the charity has been celebrating with various events all year.
The route
Golf Club Captain Gary Dobson, who nominated Independent Arts as his charity for his captaincy, will be joining the pair on the first leg of their route, from Freshwater Bay Golf Club to the charity’s Creative Hub on Newport High Street, from where the hikers will continue their route around the Island, via Bembridge, Ryde, East Cowes, before completing their challenge at the cannons of the Royal Yacht Squadron, where Steve spent 30 years as a Steward.
Orchard: It has been great working with Independent Arts
On this year’s fundraising challenge, Steve said,
“Paul and I are looking forward to our latest challenge of walking 35 miles around the Island.
“It has been great working with Independent Arts and finding out how they help change lives in our community. Hopefully our challenge will help raise both profile and funds for this very deserving local charity.”
As the pair pass through each town, they will be greeted and cheered on their way by participants from SingAbout groups, who are being invited along to help support Steve and Paul along the way, perhaps with a song!
Gagliani: It’s great to have supporters like Steve and Paul
Independent Arts Chief Executive, Lisa Gagliani MBE, praised the pair for their efforts in supporting the arts for wellbeing charity,
“As an Island charity which supports the most vulnerable and potentially isolated residents across the Island, it is great to have supporters like Steve and Paul to undertake such challenges to raise funds and awareness for our work!
“Particularly this challenge of a 35-mile walk, which celebrates 35 years of arts based support across the Island, highlights the many Isle of Wight places that we deliver support, and offers participants of those groups a chance to get involved, too”
Show your support
The challenge takes place on Saturday 24th June, and will culminate with a celebration and evening reception hosted at Freshwater Bay Golf Club.
You can support the fundraising efforts by visiting their JustGiving page.
News shared by Ralph on behalf of Independent Arts. Ed
