RRT Supports the Dame Vera Lynn Trust A2B Walk

Now in its third year, the A2B walk in aid of the Dame Vera Lynn Trust was held on Saturday 19th September 2015. A demanding walk, not for the faint hearted, starting in the superb grounds of Arundel Castle in West Sussex, following the well known and loved South Downs Way, and finishing 35km later at Devil’s Dyke near Brighton.

The daily work of The Dame Vera Lynn Trust is amazing, and all the services they offer are provided free of charge. For a family to be suddenly and unexpectedly faced with the news that their child is affected by cerebral palsy is a life-altering experience. The special attention that their child will need in their early years is vital and early intervention is crucial. The Dame Vera Lynn School for Parents is a place where Parents and children learn daily living skills together, and where a skilled and professional team help parents to recognise each child’s unique qualities and achievements. So the need for funds is great, and Catherine, Events Coordinator for DVLT, was aiming to beat last year’s total, and maximise the contribution towards the £500,000 annual running costs. The DVLT team, supported by Pied a Terre Adventures and RRT, started at 06:00 in Arundel (treated to a view of the magnificent Castle emerging from the darkness). Marquee set up, signage, car parking duties, registration, water distribution and a briefing was all packed into the first hour and by 07:00 the walkers were on their way through the Castle grounds, heading for the South Downs Way.

The Rapid Relief Team provided help with route marshalling, two essential refreshment points and a BBQ meal at the finish line. The walkers were grateful for the array of fruit, snack bars, chocolate, sweets and hot & cold drinks provided at the refreshment points. Katie, one of the brave walkers said ‘We were so pleased to see this and all the goodies they had. Helped to keep us going. Very much appreciated. Thank you to RRT and Pied a Terre’.

The sight of the RRT tent, which could be seen from afar, spurred the walkers on – ‘The red tent was a welcoming sight. I can confidently speak for all of us by saying that you helped make the challenge easier. Thank you Rapid Relief…. You were GREAT! Couldn’t have done it today without your support’. The weather was great, and the views from the high points fantastic. Everyone involved got to see and appreciate the beauty of the South Downs, as the refreshment stations were set up at vantage points along the route. It was a logistical challenge – setting up at each point, catering for all the walkers from first to last, and then packing up and heading off to the next point – but the teamwork of RRT, DVLT and Pied a Terre, ensured that every walker was given the much needed support.

The hot meal at the finish line was a welcome sight for the weary walkers, after 35km of very demanding terrain, including some very long hills. Catherine and her team appreciated the support of RRT – ‘I cannot stress enough how much of a difference it made. Thank you once again. All your volunteers were so friendly, helpful and went above and beyond.’

Sponsor monies were still coming in, but Catherine was pleased to announce that last year’s total had been beaten. Well done to all those who walked in aid of DVLT. To find out more about their work, visit www.dvltrust.org.uk.