The
route involved crossing Golden Jubilee, Westminster, Waterloo,
Blackfriars, Millennium, London and Tower Bridges and included at
least 12 famous London Landmarks each representing one of the 12
young sudden cardiac deaths that occur each week in the UK.
The day
started with participants checking in and picking up a map, song
sheet and fact sheet on some of the landmarks, kindly produced by
CRY supporter, Paul Clabburn.
After
picking up their CRY balloons and meeting up with friends and
family for a chat and photographs, participants moved to the
bandstand area for a welcome and introduction to CRY and its
latest initiatives by Founder and Chief Executive, Alison Cox MBE.
This was followed by a sing-a-long of “You’ll Never Walk Alone“ led
by Kathryn Harries. Kathryn’s pet spaniel, Dorrie, also joined in
and could be heard above the voices of the crowd!
Phil Packer, our guest speaker, officially opened the walk and gave
an inspirational good luck speech. Finally, before everyone set off,
there was a motivational group warm up led by Kirk Douglas, personal
trainer and nutritionist; Sylvia, his assistant; and a few CRY
supporters who joined them on the stage.
Once
again, it was an emotional day, as most of the people were taking
part in memory of a young relative or friend.
There
were also a number of people taking part because they felt CRY was a
good cause and that the route was interesting - including a group of
graduates from Marks and Spencer, who put together a team with their
colleagues from around the country.
Others
took part in support of a young person who had been diagnosed with a
heart condition; and some were taking part because they have
a heart condition.
As in
previous years, some families chose to have photographs printed on
their T-shirts, as well as using the personalised back signs
provided by CRY.
The walk
ended some 2 - 3 hours later - depending on the number of stops en
route - at Hays Galleria, with a welcome glass of fruit punch, a
certificate and a goody bag.
CRY would like to say "well done" and "thank you"
again to all the participants.
Thank
you to all the participants who agreed to help with media coverage
and to those that have sent in their event feedback either by e-mail
or via the feedback forms. If you haven’t returned your feedback
form yet or sent us your thoughts / comments, then we would still
love to hear from you!
CRY would also
like to thank:
Kathryn
Harries, CRY patron, for leading the walk; Phil Packer for
officially starting the walk; Ben Brown, CRY Patron, who took part
in the walk for the 2nd time; David Walliams and James
Cracknell, CRY patrons, for signing press releases / letters to
editors; Professor Greg Whyte for his training tips; St John
Ambulance for providing valuable first aid cover; and the following
Hays Galleria shops and businesses for helping to raise awareness
and hold collection boxes on the day - The Horniman Pub; Starbucks;
Bagel Factory; Riverside Bookshop and Next.
CRY
thanks the following companies and organisations: Foresters, for
sponsoring the event and providing volunteers on the day;
Westminster City Council (especially the events team and the
Victoria Embankment Gardens Parks Office team); St Martins Property
Consultants and CB Richard Ellis Management Services for donating
the venues (Victoria Embankment Gardens and Hays Galleria); Chubb
Insurance, for making a donation to cover all the drinks on the day
as well as refreshments for staff and volunteers; Sainsbury’s for
donating crisps, savoury snacks and chocolates for all the
participants.
Last but
not least, a huge thank you to all the CRY staff who helped
with admin and support for the event; and
the following volunteers who helped by making up packs, securing
donations, pre-walk preparations, marshalling, delivering and
distributing drinks, providing the warm up, making the punch,
registration, making up and handing out goody bags and
certificates....and so much more!
Martin Appleby; Nick Bond; Caroline Byrne; Paul
Clabburn; John and Pat Dennington; Kirk Douglas and Sylvia; Fran
Griffin; Paul Hayward; Mark and Marcia Hearne; Jim and Barbara
Holland; Penny Jerrum; Krystyna Juszczyk; Koula Louki; Charlotte
MacKenzie; Patsy Mourtzinos; Laura Murzell; Josephine Pickard;
Dulcie Reddick; Ben Robinson; Natalia Rodrigues; William Snell;
Alison Stokes; Paul Vickery; Sue Walton.
Also,
Foresters’ volunteers:
Adrian Buckland, Audley Clarke, Vernon Elmes, Eddie
And Christine Horne, David and Rita Howell, Maureen MacGregor, Ann
Osbourne, Diana and Harold Parrett, Ian Sharman.
We are
hoping to repeat this event again in 2010 but slightly earlier in
July, either on the 11th or the 18th of July.
The date will be posted on the CRY website as soon as possible.
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