The Five Valleys Walk For Meningitis Now Sunday 24 September 2017 Your Handbook Thank you for taking part in our 30th Five Valleys Walk and helping us beat meningitis with every step. www.fivevalleyswalk.com Meningitis Now 2017 Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland). Company Registration Number 2469130 Image credit to Wolstenholme Images
Welcome We re delighted you have chosen to take part in Meningitis Now s 30th annual Five Valleys Walk on Sunday 24 September 2017. With your support, we can continue to fight meningitis. This handbook contains everything you need to know about the walk, including fundraising advice to help you raise as much sponsorship as possible. On the day Arrive at the checkpoint you wish to start from and hand in your CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY LETTER, which is included in this pack. Please note there will also be walkers registering on the day, so make sure you are in the pre-registered walkers queue to save valuable walking time. Checkpoints open at 8.30am and close at 5.30pm. The Stroud Cricket Club will be open until 10pm. Route maps Once registered, the checkpoint marshal will give you a route map containing detailed walking instructions. Please follow the directions carefully. If you ve done the walk before, don t rely on memory as there are some changes to the route this year. Contents On the day... Route map and checkpoints... Food and drink... Get fundraising... How to pay in your sponsorship money... Five Valleys Walk merchandise... Raffle prizes... FAQs... Local advertisements... Thanks to our sponsors... 3 4 5 6 7 8 & 9 10 11 12 15 16 Remember, if you get into any difficulties, the marshals at any of the checkpoints will be able to help you. NB: Our route is signposted in one direction only. You can walk the route in reverse but please be aware that we cannot be held responsible for unclear directions if you choose to do so. What to wear Please wear comfortable clothes and sensible footwear such as hiking boots or sturdy shoes/trainers. Be prepared for all kinds of weather bring your sun hat, sun cream and your waterproofs! First aid St John Ambulance staff will be in attendance on the day to deal with any minor injuries or emergencies. Please alert a member of staff at any of the checkpoints if you encounter a problem. Dogs You are more than welcome to bring your dogs, but please be aware that we cannot take responsibility for them. Please ensure you take the necessary precautions to keep them safe and under control, as we ve had a number of dogs getting lost in previous years. Water bowls are available at each checkpoint. Please remember to clear up after your dog. Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs Leave gates and property as you find them Protect plants and animals and take your litter home Keep dogs under control Consider other people 3
Plan your route Food and drink Pitchcombe Be sure to bring along some money on the day to enjoy the delicious catering provided from the following local producers: 8 7 Standish Wood B4008 6 Slad 5 Lypiatt At the Stroud Cricket Club you can expect a tasty Hog Roast, with stuffing and apple sauce. And why not wash it down with a well-deserved pint at the end of the day? The bar will be open all day and close at 10pm, so please join us. Don t forget if you collect a sticker at each of the eight checkpoints you ll be entitled to a FREE pint of Stroud Brewery Ale at the cricket club. Stroud Cricket Club 1 Nailsworth checkpoint The Canteen will be joining us with a stall of refreshments. Key Hot Food Fresh Tea Ice Cream & Coffee Alcohol Picnic Spot P Checkpoints FVW route FVW route which overlaps cycle track Main roads FVW route which overlaps main roads Nature trail FVW route suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs P Car Parking Free fruit and water at all checkpoints Cake Toilets No parking at Slad or Lypiatt. We suggest you park at Stroud Cricket Club or Nailsworth follow the directions to our car parks. 2 Nailsworth P Checkpoints All checkpoints OPEN at 8.30am and CLOSE at 5.30pm, except The Cricket Club open until 10pm. 3 4 Minchinhampton Common Brimscombe FREE Stagecoach shuttle buses are on hand to pick you and your tired feet up once you ve finished your walk. They will be available at checkpoints between 11am-4.45pm. For a map of their route, please visit www.fivevalleyswalk.com 1. Stroud Cricket Club: along the A419 between Stonehouse and Stroud GL10 2LA 2. Nailsworth: Morrisons car park, centre of Nailsworth 3. Minchinhampton: Corner of Minchinhampton Common, near the Parish Church 4. Brimscombe: STB Engineering Ltd, Toadsmoor Road, Brimscombe 5. Lypiatt: Round Elm crossroads, Stroud 6. Slad: Bus shelter, opposite the war memorial on Slad Road 7. Pitchcombe: North end of village, just off A4173 where A46 and A4173 split 8. Standish Woods: OS grid reference 832073 (Randwick end) Minchinhampton checkpoint Velo Bakery will be back this year with their wood fired pizza oven (gluten free available); they will also be providing tea, coffee and pastries. Adam s Gelato Ice Cream will be joining them to help satisfy those sugary cravings. Brimscombe checkpoint By the time you reach Brimscombe we re sure you ll need a coffee and we re delighted that Coffee Man Chris will be on hand to make them. Between the Lypiatt and Slad checkpoints D & L Beverages will be on hand serving refreshments throughout the day. Standish Woods Sticking with tradition Lovington s Ice Cream will be waiting for you after you emerge from the woods for a well-deserved rest stop. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate will also be available. FREE fruit and water will be available at every checkpoint. Snacks will also be available to buy to help keep you going. *Information provided correct at time of printing. 4 fivevalleyswalk@meningitisnow.org In partnership with: 01453 769021 www.facebook.com/meningitisnow, www.fivevalleyswalk.com #5VW 5
Meningitis Now April 2015. Next review Oct 2015. References for content of this card are available on our website. Reg. charity number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland) Fundraising The Five Valleys Walk raises vital funds for the work of Meningitis Now. As it s our 30th walk, we re asking walkers to try and raise 30 per person or more if you can! Your 30 could fund: 1.5 hours of lifesaving vaccine research Win a balloon ride for two Keep this card safe It could save a life Meningitis and Septicaemia Common signs and symptoms Meningitis and Septicaemia Common signs and symptoms Common signs and symptoms for meningitis and septicaemia Meningitis Helpline 0808 80 10 388 (UK) www.meningitisnow.org Meningitis Helpline 0808 80 10 388 (UK) www.meningitisnow.org Meningitis Helpline 0808 80 10 388 (UK) www.meningitisnow.org Download our free app Download our free app Available on iphone and Android Available on iphone and Android This year s top individual fundraiser will win a fabulous weekday morning hot air balloon ride for two, courtesy of Bristol Balloons. Just send your sponsorship monies to Meningitis Now by Wednesday 25 October 2017* to be in with the chance of winning. *For full terms and conditions please visit www.fivevalleyswalk.com 1,000 symptoms cards to help people recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis Sponsorship Using the sponsorship form included in your Welcome Pack helps you to collect sponsorship. Remember to ask your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box - for every 1 donated by a UK taxpayer, we receive an extra 25p from HM Revenue and Customs. So that we can put your hard-earned money to good use, please collect and pay in your sponsorship as soon as possible after the walk has taken place. Don t forget, we need to have received your sponsorship by Wednesday 25 October 2017* for you to be in with a chance of winning the top individual fundraiser s prize. There are a number of ways you can pay your money in. Please don t forget to send your sponsor forms back so we can claim the Gift Aid. At the bank Remember to use your unique paying-in slip attached to your Confirmation of Entry letter. This is how we track your donation and means we can send you a thank you when we receive it. You can pay monies directly into your nearest NatWest branch. If you need a replacement paying-in slip, please contact us on 0345 120 4530 or email fivevalleyswalk@meningitisnow.org Looking for some inspiration? Why not walk the route in fancy dress - superheroes, pirates or princesses? Have a Meningitis Now makeover and complete the walk dressed in orange. You don t have to walk it - why not run, skip, hop or hula hoop? Bring your four-legged friends along on the day and get them sponsored too! Keep up-to-date with what s going on at this year s Five Valleys Walk - join our Facebook group at www.facebook. com/meningitisnow and follow us on Twitter @MeningitisNow #5VW Setting up Just Giving is a quick and easy way to kick-start your fundraising. To set up your page, visit www. justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/ meningitisnow/fvw2017 - you don t have to worry about the paperwork and the money comes directly to us. Once your online page is set up, you re ready to spread the word. Tell your friends, family and colleagues that you re taking part in the Five Valleys Walk for Meningitis Now; you can share your online page with them and ask them to make a donation. By post You can post us your details and a cheque made payable to Meningitis Now to: Five Valleys Walk Meningitis Now Fern House Bath Road Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ We advise against sending cash in the post. Over the phone Call us on 0345 120 4530 with your credit or debit card details and we will be able to take your donations securely over the phone. Photo by Pete Wilson, Rokermedia 6 7
Five Valleys Walk online shop We are thrilled to launch the Five Valleys Walk online shop where you can purchase any of the following items and more. Grab yourself an official limited edition Five Valleys Walk T-shirt and for dogs we have a rather lovely doggie bandana, which we are sure will be a popular choice. Meningitis Now Backpack 20 Visit www.teefunder.co.uk/shop/meningitis-now Five Valleys Walk Hoodie 25 Five Valleys Walk T-shirt From 10 T-shirts for all the family adult and child sizes available Five Valleys Walk Doggie Bandana 10 Meningitis Now Mug 9 Visit www.teefunder.co.uk/shop/meningitis-now 8 9
Raffle prizes Don t miss out on the chance to win some rather fabulous prizes in this year s raffle. Tickets are 1 each and will be available to buy on the day at all of our checkpoints. So far this year we have the following incredible prizes: FAQs Do I have to complete the whole walk? No, the route is separated into eight checkpoints. You can walk as much of the route as you want and start and finish at any of the checkpoints. Where can I park my car? You are able to park your car at the Stroud Cricket Club or Nailsworth checkpoints, however, there are limited spaces available and the car park will close at 6pm (later for the Cricket Club). Please note that there is no parking available at Slad or Lypiatt. What time do the free shuttle buses run from? The buses circulate each route from 11.00am until 4.45pm. The last bus leaving the depot to return you to your starting point is at 4.45pm. Bus route maps will be available at each checkpoint on the day. Can I bring my dog? YES!! You are welcome to bring your dogs, but be aware that we cannot take responsibility for them. Please ensure you take the necessary precautions to keep them safe and under control, as we ve had a number of dogs getting lost in previous years. Water bowls and poop-scoop bags are available at each checkpoint. Please remember to clear up after your dog. Pictured: A selection of signed Katie Fforde novels Liz Earle hamper full of luxurious goodies and a signed book Various toys to include a box of Kinetic Sand For the full selection of prizes available please take a look as you pass through The Stroud Cricket Club on the day as more prizes will be available. Thank you to everyone who donated to our raffle - we really appreciate it! Our thanks to you FREE BEER! Thanks to support from Stroud Brewery, if you complete the whole 21 mile walk you will be entitled to a free pint at The Stroud Cricket Club when you finish. Collect a sticker at each checkpoint on the way round to redeem your free drink (includes a bottle of water). What happens if the weather is bad? The event will still go ahead, please be prepared for all weather conditions. How do I make a donation? You can donate via our Five Valleys Walk Just Giving page, please visit: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/meningitisnow/fvw2017. Or you can donate over the phone, please call 01453 768000. Finally, send a cheque through the post. Please do not send cash in the post. How do I contact Head Office? Contact us on 0345 120 4530 or email fivevalleyswalk@meningitisnow. org. Alternatively our offices are open Monday Friday 9am 5pm at the following address, please pop if you have a question: Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3TJ. A full list of FAQs can be found on our website. 10 11
Mobile beauty therapy covering the Stroud and Stonehouse areas. We bring the salon to the comfort of your home. Please visit the website for prices and any other information. www.bluebellbeauty.net 12 13
We are a family owned, British clothing company based in the South West of England and we design everything in-house from our lovely design barn in the Cotswolds. Our designers combine stunning textile design with intelligent design on our dresses, tunics, tops, knits and skirts. Five Valley s Walkers can enjoy 20% off orders made on our website with discount code Lily20 (offer valid until 31st October 2017) www.lilyandmeclothing.com PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY Brodie Planning Associates are a national planning, design and development consultancy providing expert advice & guidance on Householder, Listed Building, Agricultural, Residential and Commercial schemes. We were given sensible, honest advice. We wouldn t hesitate to recommend them our only regret is that we didn t find them sooner! We pride ourselves on delivering an honest, friendly & professional service to achieve the design & development requirements of our clients. www.brodieplanning.co.uk mail@brodieplanning.co.uk 01242 898368 14 15
Thank you to the following local companies and organisations for their support with the 2017 Five Valleys Walk - we really appreciate it: Thank you also to... Adam s Gelato Ice Cream Ben Creese Country Butchers and Hog Roast in Gloucestershire Bristol Balloons Chamberlain E A Holdings Ltd Coffee Man Chris D & L Beverages Ermin Plant Lovington s Ice Cream Morrison s (Nailsworth) STB Engineering Ltd St John s Ambulance Stroud District Council The Canteen Velo Bakery and Pizza Mr & Mrs Little (Pitchcombe) Mr & Mrs Cullimore (Lypiatt) Mr T George (Slad) Tel: 0345 120 4530 Email: fivevalleyswalk@meningitisnow.org Meningitis Now Head Office Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3TJ Meningitis Now Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland). Company Registration Number 2469130.