Registration for this year's Walk the Wight for Mountbatten is now open.

The hospice's flagship fundraiser, thought to be the largest walking event of its kind in Europe, is taking place on May 14.

Mountbatten has this year introduced a single-entry fee of £10 for all walkers, due to what it calls 'increasing costs' and to simplify the registration process.

Special incentives for top fundraisers have also been introduced.

Walkers who raise more than £500 (Silver Award) or £1000 (Gold Award) by April 14 will receive a special keepsake and be invited into the hospice for a VIP Walk the Wight reception ahead of the event.  

Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley said, in the current climate, support for the event was needed now more than ever.  

Isle of Wight County Press:

“We now look after around 2,000 people on any one day and the need for our services is growing rapidly - we expect a 40% increase in demand over the next 18 months,” he said.  

“As an independent charity, we rely on the generosity and kindness of our amazing Island community to fundraise over £10 million every year. 

“With demand for our support ever growing and the cost of living at an all-time high, this figure will keep rising.” 

Jo Chipperfield, who walked the Wight in 2022, raising more than £4,000, said: “Our beautiful, brave and courageous mum was moved to the hospice in February 2022, where she received the most amazing and best-possible care that we could have asked for.  

Isle of Wight County Press:
Jo Chipperfield

“We will be walking again in 2023. Someone’s son, daughter, mum, dad, sister, brother or best friend raised or donated money that meant our mum could be cared for in the best possible way – and we want to do the same for others."

To register for Walk the Wight 2023, head to mountbatten.org.uk.