World Aid Walk goes off-road for its 50th

Some chose to shorten their walk by starting at Pembroke. With the theme of Fighting Poverty Heart & Sole, beneficiaries for 2020 will be Christian Aid, Action Aid, This is Epic, The Tumaini Fund and The Eleanor Foundation.

The walk has raised more than £500,000 for good causes since the inaugural one in 1970.

The event bought back memories for learning support assistant Katie Watson, 36, who took part with husband Dave and their three children.

‘I first took part in the walk when I was the same age as my children are now and it’s nice to do it as a family,’ said Mrs Watson.

Taxi driver Pritt Sehmi, 64, said he and wife Alison, as Christians, were principally supporting the Christian-based Tumaini Fund.

‘We like to support people who have nothing, and we know of, and can empathise with their situation,’ said Mrs Sehmi.

‘It’s nice to see Guernsey getting together again and to see so many smiling faces here and people of all ages.’

OSA managing director Sophie Gregson, 44, and daughter, Elise, 10, took part in the Herm section of the WAW last year.

‘It’s nice to go a bit further in Guernsey this year,’ said Mrs Gregson. ‘This is something that all generations can do. It’s a bit of fun and you get a sense of accomplishment when you complete it,’

Sister events were again held in Herm, where 40 people took part, and Sark, over distances of 8.5km and 10km respectively. It is hoped to get participation from Alderney in the future.

Walk chairman Natalie Tucker said: ‘We are so lucky that Guernsey is in a position to have an event like this and to help raise money for those living in poverty.

‘I’d just like to thank all of those who have taken part, our sponsors, and the volunteers who have helped make it happen,’

The WAW was taking place on that course for the first time with one of the aims being to take walkers off the roads as much as possible.