Disability charity National Star is planning to stage its Sunrise Walk again in 2024 – and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The sponsored Sunrise Walk will set off from National Star, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, at 5.40am on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
There are two routes this year – one 13k route and a shorter 3k route suitable for people with limited mobility or those using sturdy electric-powered wheelchairs.
Both routes will give participants the chance to soak up the stunning views around the Cotswold Way, as well as the opportunity to take in the morning’s invigorating sunrise.
Well-behaved dogs along with their owners are welcome on the walk too and there were plenty of four-legged friends taking part last year.
After the event, all walkers are rewarded with a breakfast roll and hot drink in the award-winning StarBistro.
So could you put your best foot forward for young people with disabilities and transform lives with every step?
‘A fantastic buzz’
The event would make a fun team-building event for colleagues looking to support a local charity.
The walk is also perfect for groups of friends looking to take on a new year’s fitness challenge.
Last year Bamboo Technology entered a team. Emily Giles, Marketing Manager at Bamboo Technology said: “It was great to be part of the Sunrise Walk. The camaraderie between everyone taking part created a fantastic buzz.”
The CLC Striders, a group of colleagues from the CLC Sports Centre, have taken part in Sunrise Walk for two consecutive years.
Three friends Vanessa, Jude and Claire, were three of the top fundraisers in 2023.
They said: “We may not have been fast, but we had a lot of fun, and we are so proud to have raised well over £1,000 for National Star.”
Holistic and person-centred approach
National Star helps young people with complex disabilities to achieve their aspirations and to become equal and active citizens in control of their own lives.
The college itself offers programmes that are tailored to meet individual aspirations and abilities, with a strong emphasis on creative and performing arts, sports, communication skills and life skills.
Learner progress is monitored through the setting of individual goals and targets, and a strong multi-disciplinary team, including speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and behaviour specialists, ensures a holistic and person-centred approach is taken.
These programmes are offered at both the national centre in Ullenwood, Gloucestershire, as well as at a local level, where National Star is working with partner organisations.
More than £12,000 was raised by Sunrise Walk participants last year, which helped the charity build new and much-needed modern student accommodation at Ullenwood.
Find out more
The Sunrise Walk 2024 sets off from National Star, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, at 5.40am on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Advance entry is £20 per adult (16 years old and over) and £10 per child. On the day, ticket prices are £25 per adult and £15 per child. In addition, each walker is asked to aim to raise a minimum of £50.
Every penny you raise will go towards supporting young people with complex disabilities.
Sign up for the Sunrise Walk 2024 today at nationalstar.org/sunrisewalk
