Entries are now open for the Bath Rugby Walk on Saturday 23rd February. Two local charities are looking for 700 men, women and children aged 12+ to take part in the seventh annual Bath Rugby Walk to raise funds for Bath Rugby Foundation and Dorothy House Hospice Care.

The Bath Rugby Walk is a two-hour, eight mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal path starting from Dorothy House in Winsley at 11am after registration. The walk, sponsored by Thrings, finishes at the Rec, the home of Bath Rugby, after a short detour for refreshments along the route.

Once at the Rec, walkers are treated to a screening of the day’s Six Nations action and a free pie and a drink. This year walkers can watch both the France v Scotland match at 2:15pm and Wales v England at 4:45pm.

The event is now open to both ladies and gents for the first time this year as well as children over 12 years. To sign up for the sponsored Bath Rugby Walk visit www.bathrugbywalk.org.uk

Last year, Bath Rugby Foundation and Dorothy House Hospice Care, raised over £56,000 between them to support their much-needed work for the local community.

Emily Knight, Event Fundraiser, Dorothy House Hospice Care said: "We’re delighted to be welcoming both men and women to join in this great family day out. Last year's walk was a great success with over 580 people taking part. It's always an important fundraiser for both charities and the vital funds raised for Dorothy House help us provide patients and their families with specialist palliative and end of life care."

Ruaridh McConnochie, Bath Rugby player and Olympic silver medallist, said: “Everyone at Bath Rugby knows what amazing work Dorothy House and Bath Rugby Foundation do in our community. We’re right behind the Bath Rugby Walk. It is going to be a great day out and we urge all rugby fans to sign up and take part.”

Lily Miles, Bath Spa University Women’s Rugby captain said: “Our team are really excited to be joining the Bath Rugby Walk. It’s great there is a fundraising event like this that’s open to everyone and a really achievable challenge. We’re having a great season on the pitch at Bath Spa University and we’re excited to get our squad together for this event off the pitch too. It will be great to see lots of other sports teams signing up to join us on the canal path on 23rd February.”

Caryl Thomas, Programme Development Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation and Welsh International rugby player, said: “Bath Rugby Walk is a highlight of the Foundation’s fundraising calendar and seeing hundreds of people walking eight miles down the canal path in aid of two brilliant charities is always inspiring. I’m sure the prospect of a Six Nations extravaganza will get everyone walking in double quick time.”

Please sign up for the event at www.bathrugbywalk.org.uk. 

About our charities

Bath Rugby Foundation is the charitable arm of Bath Rugby, set up to empower young people to succeed. It uses the power of sport to raise confidence and help vulnerable people to overcome obstacles. They focus on key areas of need in our community: Education, Inclusion, and Employability – enabling local young people to create a better future.

Dorothy House Hospice Care was awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2017 placing it in the top 6% of adult social care providers nationally. The Hospice is an independent charity whose services are available free of charge. It provides palliative and end of life care for people with life-limiting illnesses across 700 sq miles, serving a population of 550,000 people across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Wiltshire and Somerset. Providing end of life care requires significant funds and for every £1 from the NHS, the hospice must raise another £4. T: 01225 721 480 / www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

Sponsors

Many thanks to our main event sponsors Thrings, a Top 100 law firm with offices in Bath, Bristol, Swindon, Hampshire and London. Thrings' partner-led teams of specialist lawyers provide legal and strategic advice to entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, corporates and multinationals in a range of industry sectors. This includes agriculture and the rural economy, banking and financial services, retail, and technology.

The firm has also built up strong Private Client and Succession and Tax teams with a commercial background, meaning the complex needs of business clients as well as individuals continue to be well provided for.

The way Thrings solicitors look after their clients is as important as the legal work they do, becoming long-term trusted advisers with the commercial acumen to enable their clients to prosper and grow.

Thrings is recognised as a top-tier law firm by independent legal directories Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. In recent years, Thrings has won awards from prominent legal and business publications for its legal expertise, transparent pricing models and client-focused approach.

Thanks also to our other sponsors Fidelius, Pieminister, Bath Ales and Thatchers.