Two routes - one goal
On Sunday 25 September 2022, join us for our 3rd annual Big NHS Walk and experience the incredible atmosphere, camaraderie and sense of community, whilst raising funds for your local NHS hospital charity.
Following the huge success of our inaugural event in 2019 - the Big NHS Walk – two routes – one goal is back – bigger and better than before! Once again there will be two walks setting off at the same time, one from Burnley hospital, and one from Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. Both routes unite near the end so we can all join in spirit and finish the walk together.
Whether you choose to start from Burnley or Blackburn - The Big NHS Walk charts a lush 11-mile course through some of East Lancashire’s most scenic countryside. Walk with us and discover the iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and hidden gems in the heart of our local communities. Feel the exhilaration and energy as you walk beside staff who work so hard to deliver the best care possible, patients who have received lifesaving treatment, and grateful family members who want to say thank you for the care their loved ones received.
Sign up to walk from Burnley General Teaching Hospital
Sign up to walk from Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital
#TheBigNHSWalk Information
Event Date: Sunday 25 September 2022
Sign In: 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Walk Start: 10:30 a.m. promptly
Start Point
Signing in and the start of the walk takes place at either Park View site, opposite KFC on Haslingden Road, BB2 3HH or Learning and Development Centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.
Take your time, and enjoy the day. The event is fully supported until 3.30 p.m.
Registration:
£15 (+ Eventbrite fee)
- Uniquely designed finishers medal
- Clearly marked scenic route with event marshals
- Regular checkpoints with water re-supply
- First-aid assistance
- Toilet facilities; start, halfway and finish
- A full walkers pack, with information and fundraising resources
Please check the 'Eligibility and Terms' tab for additional information, before signing up.
Dog Registration:
£2
Dogs are welcome on the walk, so why not bring along your four-legged friend? They can even help raise funds by collecting sponsorship too!
Online registration will remain open until the day of the event. You can also register on the day in person, between 9:45 - 10:15 a.m. Please arrive as early as possible if you are registering on the day.
Following the huge success of our inaugural event in 2019 - the Big NHS Walk – two routes – one goal is back – bigger and better than before! Once again there will be two walks setting off at the same time, one from Blackburn hospital, and one from Burnley Teaching Hospital. Both routes unite near the end so we can all join in spirit and finish the walk together.
Whether you choose to start from Blackburn or Burnley - The Big NHS Walk charts a lush 11-mile course through some of East Lancashire’s most scenic countryside. Walk with us and discover the iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and hidden gems in the heart of our local communities. Feel the exhilaration and energy as you walk beside staff who work so hard to deliver the best care possible, patients who have received lifesaving treatment, and grateful family members who want to say thank you for the care their loved ones received.
Parking is free at both starting points and there will be shuttle transport from Altham back to Blackburn and Burnley hospitals.
Bottled water will be available along the route.
Don’t forget to pack provisions to keep you going during the walk! Along the route, there will be food and refreshments available for purchase at the Walton Arms, Burnley Road, Altham.
On return, you will receive an alfresco afternoon tea bag. If you have any allergies or dietary requirements please specify them when you sign up.
We're asking all of our walkers to "wear it blue" on the day, in honour of our amazing NHS. Whether it's just your t-shirt or your full outfit, we can't wait to watch a sea of blue walkers following the route!
You can even make things really exciting by wearing facepaint, a wig or cool sunglasses - just make sure your outfit is suitable for all weathers and is comfortable to walk in!
Walkers should wear suitable footwear for walking in the countryside, and we also recommend appropriate outdoor clothing suited to the weather on the day. If it is a wet day some sections of the walk could be muddy.
Please also wear and bring suncream if we are lucky enough to enjoy September sunshine.
It’s important to take beforehand, and bring along any necessary medication, such as hayfever tablets, or asthma inhalers.
- The minimum age for entry is 12 years. Under 16 years of age to be accompanied by a registered adult walker who is confident of the child's ability to take on this challenge.
- The walk is not suitable for babes in arms, pushchairs or those with mobility issues.
- Ensure you carry sufficient water, any medication
- Follow the weather leading up to the day and carry weather protection if required.
- Walk at a sensible pace and enjoy the day, it is not a race.
- Leave no trace. Please dispose of litter correctly or take it home with you.
- Key crossing points will have marshals for your safety. Please obey all marshal instructions. Our marshals for the day are volunteers from East Lancashire Freemasons.
- The walk has first-aid cover but in an emergency call 999.
- If you get lost or need any advice or help on the day, call the walk controller on the number that is listed in the Walkers Information Pack.
Hosting charity events comes at a cost, which is met by your registration fee and any support we can get from other sponsors. The Big NHS Walk is a sponsored walk and we would ask all registered walkers to raise money for the charity.
Online sponsorship
No trips to the bank or counting pennies. Experience has shown that the best way to raise funds is to have a Just Giving page. We are listed on Just Giving so it is easy for you to set up your page so that sponsorship money comes directly to us. To set up a Just Giving page in aid of ELHT&Me:
Go to justgiving.com/elhtcf
Click on 'Fundraise for us' and follow the instructions.
This page can then be shared with your friends and family on social media. We would also ask that you also follow @ELHTandMe on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter so that this event gets maximum social media exposure
Offline sponsorship
Paper sponsorship forms will be part of your registration pack.
There will be photographers at the walk from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Photo consent for the walk is on an opt-out basis. We will assume that as a registered walker, you have consented to have your photographs taken and used for charity communications.
If you do not consent to photos being taken of you, please inform a member of staff at the registration desk on the morning of the walk. You will be given a lanyard to wear which must be visible at all times.
If you take your own photos during the walk, please ensure that everyone in the photo(s) has given their consent before sharing on social media. Please tag us in your social media posts (@ELHTandMe on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and use the hashtags #TheBigNHSWalk and #ELHTandMe.