Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch
Paris and Kite family group & Batman show off their medals
The first ever New Year Resolution Ramble kicked off 2012 in Hunstanton at 10.30am on New Year’s Day.
It was amazingly warm for the time of year and some 50 walkers turned up to participate in what is hoped to become established as a regular feature in our local calendar.
Walkers were invited to turn up in fancy dress but only one little lad chose to do so and he presented a fine figure as “Batman”. “Batman” walked with his siblings and other members of the Paris and Kite family and put in a valiant effort considering the ages of the children among their group.
There were many photo opportunities for those who wanted to have a picture of themselves holding the 1948 Olympic Torch which is due to leave Hunstanton very soon.
Mick Ennis proudly shows his medal and charity bucket
Hunstanton Mayor, Carol Bowers, and Editor of Hunstanton Newsletter, Elaine Bird, joined me and the other willing walkers to set the pace for a very enjoyable walk from Hunstanton Sailing Club to Heacham North Beach and back again. My son, Jamie, took off sharpish and led us all the way there and back to Hunstanton without stopping for breath. I gave up trying to catch him up and in the end my time was a respectable 90 minutes but I am sure I walked it a lot faster some years ago … However, that is exactly the aim of the walk – to get us all out there being more active in 2012 the year of the London Olympics. In other words, start as you mean to go on. That is exactly what I am trying to do and I am sure many other walkers felt the same.
This year’s event was funded by Hunstanton Town Council and the Sports Council thus allowing all walkers to be awarded a commemorative medal of their achivements. Personally, I much preferred the reward of some fantastic home made soup that Hunstanton Sailing Club served up on our return!
Also participating in the walk was Mike Ennis, who rattled his collection bucket throughout the walk to raise much needed funds for ”Friends of the stroke unit” at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (total raised was £36.05 – quite a result considering the numbers who were out and about). Mike joined “Friends of the stroke unit” following the death of his wife three years ago after three stokes and cancer. The aim of the “Friends” is to help acquire the best equipment possible for use in the stroke unit. This year the group hopes to raise £12,000 (in conjunction with the Stroke Association) for a state of the art bathroom with hoist for the unit.
Welcome 2012. You are officially here. Look out for details of the 2013 Resolution Ramble – it is a great way to start the year.
Walkers assemble at the start line
Richard Bird has seen us all off at the start
Elaine, Carol & Stella with the 1948 Olympic Torch
Hot delicious soup all round
Nearly at Heacham
Tags: resolution ramble