Thank you so much to everyone who came along to our Walk 4 Water event on Saturday 9th September. We have so many photos & successes to share over the coming days but for now just a big Thank You to…

• All our fantastic walkers for braving the heat on such an unusual day 🥵

• All our amazing volunteers who consistently give their energy to making this event such a success 🙏

• Everyone who baked & donated cakes for the day & HAWA for their delicious samosa & pakora selection 🍰

• All the local businesses who donated prizes for our raffle 🏆

• And of course everyone who has so far donated to our Just Giving page & contributed to our funds on the day. There is still time if you would like to encourage others! 😉

Total still to come in another post …

Drum Roll until then

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

https://www.justgiving.com/page/oxfam-st-albans-w4w-23

We cannot wait to see you tomorrow at this year’s Oxfam St Albans Walk 4 Water on: 

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023

Just a few final things before you come. Don’t forget:

• Its going to be a hot day! Please bring plenty of water, don’t forget a hat & some sunscreen. basically anything you need to stay cool & hydrated.
• Don’t forget to register via our Just Giving site below. That will save you time before you head out tomorrow.
• Bring some cash as this year we have a raffle with some fantastic prizes & great items to buy from our Oxfam stall. We can only accept cash for both of these.
• Print/Download the Route Instructions & maps before you leave home. Again, it will get you off quicker on your walk.

We are excited & hope you are looking forward to joining us too. All the details you need for all these points are covered below.

This year we are asking each walker to donate a minimum of £10 when you register via our Just Giving site HERE. Or scan the QR Code below. We will obviously be delighted if you choose to give more! If you do this ahead of time, it will assist us with organisational and catering requirements as well as saving you time on the day. If you wish to enter more walkers at the same time, please add their names as well.

As always, routes are available from 2.5 to 20 miles. There is a walk for everyone so please gather your friends, family and dogs to help us raise as much money as possible for Oxfam’s essential water projects around the world.

You can download a copy of the flyer below to share as far & wide as you can.

We have now updated all the routes, maps & walkers information & once again you will be required to download copies before you start walking. These are NOW available on the Walkers Information Page HERE. Or you can download them directly using THIS LINK.

DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN COPY OF THE POSTER HERE.

Some key facts about the event:

• The 2.5 and 4-mile Mini Hike will have route-marks and a half-way Check Point. The 5, 8, 15 and 22-mile walks are not route-marked, but do have Check Points.
• Above distances are approximate.
• As stated above, to assist us with organisational and catering requirements, we require an essential registration fee of £10 in advance, which you can do via our JustGiving page HERE. Or scan the QR Code above.  If you wish to enter more walkers at the same time, please add their names as well.
• The route descriptions and walkers’ information are NOW AVAILABLE using THIS LINK or on the Walkers Information page HERE.
• This year we will also be hosting a raffle & have some fantastic prizes from local businesses to give away. Would you or your company like to get involved? Please email on oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com & let us know what you would like to donate. We will then feature you here, on the website & on our social media surrounding the event.
• Make sure you bring some cash too as will also have a small selection of goodies from the Oxfam Shop for you to purchase.

Can you Volunteer?

This event is completely organised by volunteers & we are in urgent need of more helpers to make it a success. Here are the roles we specifically require help with:

• for acting as route marshals at the checkpoints or help in the car park on the day
• for baking a cake or some biscuits for the refreshments table
• or to join our committee.

You can contact us by phone to discuss, or leave a message on WhatsApp on 07870 236931.  Or e-mail us at oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com

Our fundraising activities focus on Oxfam’s work with water.  Whether in the grip of long-term poverty, or caught up in emergencies like cyclones or earthquakes, clean water is essential for survival.  On top of this, many people are suffering further due to the climate crisis, making their need even more urgent.

Pascaline Namegabe , Oxfam Public Health Officer, demonstrating the new hand washing stand to the community in the displaced persons site of Mwaka.

We would like to thank the following local businesses for donating to our raffle so far:

The Refill Pantry, Carpenters Nursery 

Carpenters Nursery & Farm Shop

Wentworth Kitchens, 80 Victoria St

TV & Movie Store, The Maltings

Marks & Spencer

Five Guys

Waterstones

Neals Yard Remedies

With best wishes,

Marian Ferguson, Sue Cockell, Wilma Mendonca, Kathleen Fettigan, Sue Parkyn and James Ferguson

Oxfam Walk4Water Team

We are delighted to let you know that we have a date for this year’s Oxfam St Albans Walk4Water: 

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023

As always, do put it in your diary and spread the word widely, on your WhatsApp groups, A4 posters at work or in your local shops and pubs.

DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN COPY HERE.

As you know, the Walk4Water is a fun annual event for people of all ages, and we really need twice as many walkers to join this year.  So please get your neighbours, colleagues, friends and/or family involved.  The more people you bring along, the more money we can raise together to help those in desperate need of fresh drinking water and hygiene.

Some key facts about the event:

• The 2.5 and 4-mile Mini Hike will have route-marks and a half-way Check Point. The 5, 8, 15 and 22-mile walks are not route-marked, but do have Check Points.
• Above distances are approximate.
• To assist us with organisational and catering requirements, we require an essential registration fee of £10 in advance, which you can do via our JustGiving page HERE. Or scan the QR Code below.  If you wish to enter more walkers at the same time, please add their names as well.
• The route descriptions and walkers’ information will be available here from 1 September 2023.
• This year we will also be hosting a raffle & have some fantastic prizes from local businesses to give away. Would you or your company like to get involved? Please email on oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com & let us know what you would like to donate. We will then feature you here on the website & on our social media surrounding the event.

Can you Volunteer?

This event is completely organised by volunteers & we are in urgent need of more helpers to make it a success. Here are the roles we specifically require help with:

• to put up signs for the 2.5 and 4-mile routes on Friday 8 September morning only.
• for acting as route marshals at the checkpoints or help in the car park on the day
• for baking a cake or some biscuits for the refreshments table
• or to join our committee.

You can contact us by phone to discuss, or leave a message on WhatsApp on 07870 236931.  Or e-mail us at oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com

Our fundraising activities focus on Oxfam’s work with water.  Whether in the grip of long-term poverty, or caught up in emergencies like cyclones or earthquakes, clean water is essential for survival.  On top of this, many people are suffering further due to the climate crisis, making their need even more urgent.

Pascaline Namegabe , Oxfam Public Health Officer, demonstrating the new hand washing stand to the community in the displaced persons site of Mwaka.

We would like to thank the following local businesses for donating to our raffle so far:

The Refill Pantry, Carpenters Nursery

Wentworth Kitchens, 80 Victoria St

TV & Movie Store, The Maltings

With best wishes,

Marian Ferguson, Sue Cockell, Wilma Mendonca, Kathleen Fettigan, Sue Parkyn and James Ferguson

Oxfam Walk4Water Team

Thank you to everyone who came & joined our Oxfam Walk4Water yesterday! We welcomed more than 100 walkers & have so far raised over £1500 for Oxfam’s water projects around the world.

Here are a few highlights from the day. If you haven’t yet donated, don’t forget to do so via our Just Giving link.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Oxfam-St-Albans-W4W-22 

And then stick this date into your diary when we look forward to doing it all again!

9th September 2023

SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2022

The W4W is a fun annual event for people of all ages.  Please get your neighbours, friends, colleagues, family & even dogs involved!

What do you need to know?

• This year there will be lots of choices:

  • the 2.5 or 4-mile mini hike, which will have route marks and a halfway checkpoint.

  • the 5, 8, 15 or 20-mile walks, which are NOT route-marked, but do have checkpoints.

• All routes start & end at Heartwood Forest in Sandridge.

• All route descriptions & maps are now available on the Walkers’ Information page. PLEASE PRINT OR DOWNLOAD THESE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. Printed copies will not be available on the day.

• Registration in advance is not essential but we would love to know if you are coming to help with our planning. Please email us at oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com, or just turn up on the day and register then.

• There is no registration fee, but we kindly ask you to make your donation to Oxfam Walk for Water in advance or on the day via our Just Giving page NOW OPEN FOR DONATIONS. If the link doesn’t work then please cut & paste this into your browser:

 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Oxfam-St-Albans-W4W-22

• We will be in need of and grateful for volunteers –  email us on oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com or call 07870 236931 if you would like to do this.

As always, our fundraising will focus on Oxfam’s work with water. Whether in the grip of long-term poverty or caught up in emergencies from cyclones to Covid, water is essential. Many are suffering further due to the climate crisis, making their need even more urgent.

With best wishes

The St Albans Oxfam Walk 4 Water team

Oxfam St Albans Volunteer Fundraising Group

Nur* is using the recently installed Contactless Handwashing Device in the Rohingya camp. Like her other Rohingya refugees have started using the machine to frequently wash their hands as a number of Covid19 cases have now been confirmed in the world’s largest refugee
camp. *name changed to protect identity Credit: Fabeha Monir

St Albans Flyers Walk for Water

We’re delighted to let you know that the Oxfam Walk 4 Water is back for 2022. We would love you to join us on

SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2022

The Walk for Water is a fun annual event for people of all ages, and new walkers join every year through word-of-mouth.  Please get your neighbours, friends, colleagues and family involved!

What do you need to know?

• This year there will be lots of choices:

  • the 2.5 or 4-mile mini hike, which will have route marks and a halfway checkpoint.

  • the 5, 8, 15 or 20-mile walks, which are not route-marked, but do have checkpoints.

• For all the route details & instructions for the day check out our Walkers Information page closer to the date. All routes start & end at Heartwood Forest in Sandridge.

• Registration in advance is not essential but we would love to know if you are coming to help with our planning. Please email us at oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com, or just turn up on the day and register then.

• There is no registration fee, but we kindly ask you to make your donation to Oxfam Walk for Water in advance or on the day via our Just Giving page NOW OPEN FOR DONATIONS. If the link doesn’t work then please cut & paste this into your browser:

 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Oxfam-St-Albans-W4W-22

• We will be in need of and grateful for volunteers – whether putting up signs on Friday 9th September, email us on oxfamstalbans.w4w@gmail.com or call 07870 236931 if you would like to do this.

As always, our fundraising will focus on Oxfam’s work with water. Whether in the grip of long-term poverty or caught up in emergencies from cyclones to Covid, water is essential. Many are suffering further due to the climate crisis, making their need even more urgent.

With best wishes

The St Albans Oxfam Walk 4 Water team

Oxfam St Albans Volunteer Fundraising Group

Nur* is using the recently installed Contactless Handwashing Device in the Rohingya camp. Like her other Rohingya refugees have started using the machine to frequently wash their hands as a number of Covid19 cases have now been confirmed in the world’s largest refugee
camp. *name changed to protect identity Credit: Fabeha Monir

St Albans Flyers Walk for Water

FROM 2021

A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the 2021 Walk For Water on 25th September!

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to send your donations to Just Giving to help us achieve our goal of £5000 for Oxfam’s water projects around the world. Your help is needed more than ever this year.

DONATE HERE NOW

And we’d love to see you next year too – please put the date in your diary now!

Saturday 10th September 2022

We are always looking for volunteers to join our team. If you would like to join us then please email us at oxfamstalbans1@gmail.com.

We’re delighted to let you know that, after a year’s break, the Oxfam Walk for Water is back for 2021. We would love you to join us

 on

SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2021

The Walk for Water is a fun annual event for people of all ages, and new walkers join every year through word-of-mouth.  Please get your neighbours, friends, colleagues and family involved!

What do you need to know?

• This year there will be more choices:

  • the 2.5 or 4-mile mini hike, which will have route marks and a halfway checkpoint.

  • the 5, 8, 15 or 20-mile walks, which are not route-marked, but do have checkpoints.

  • For all the route details & instructions for the day check out our Walkers Information page.

• Registration in advance is not essential but we would love to know if you are coming to help with our planning. Please email us at oxfamstalbans1@gmail.com, or just turn up on the day and register then.

• There is no registration fee, but we kindly ask you to make your donation to Oxfam Walk for Water in advance or on the day via our Just Giving page NOW OPEN FOR DONATIONS.

• We will be in need of and grateful for volunteers – whether putting up signs on Friday 24 September, helping during the day itself or joining our new Walk for Water committee – so e-mail us at oxfamstalbans1@gmail.com or call 07870 236931 if you would like to do this.

As always, our fundraising will focus on Oxfam’s work with water. Whether in the grip of long-term poverty or caught up in emergencies from cyclones to Covid, water is essential. Many are suffering further due to the climate crisis, making their need even more urgent.

With best wishes

The St Albans Oxfam Walk for Water team

Oxfam St Albans Volunteer Fundraising Group

Herts Walk for Water Flyer 2021

• Keep your spirits up these winter months and join an online community of friends
• Get motivated to take exercise in these wintry months Feb – March – April
• The distance you go here at home is converted to a virtual walk which we all do together
• Not just walking, cycling etc, but gardening, dance, yoga and Pilates count too!
• An eventful trek across Africa, then to India and to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
• That makes 20,000 km to do in 3 months but with plenty of people we will manage it
• Post your photos, hear from fellow walkers in the special Facebook group
• Get started – buy your ticket by pressing the green “Sign up” button at https://zentoevent.com/the-oxfam-community-winter-challenge/
• Support the walkers with donations on Justgiving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Oxfam-St-Albans

The objective is to virtually walk (or run, cycle, swim etc.) to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh (20,000 km although we get a “free” ride across the Indian Ocean!) where Oxfam is providing water and sanitation to the Rohingya refugees. Along the way we visit Oxfam projects in North Africa, India and Bangladesh as well as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (just for a treat!).

We achieve our 20,000 km by the individual members of our “Super-team” logging their activity on a special website which plots our combined progress on a map of the journey. Not only walking, but gardening, Pilates, dancing and more can all be converted to distance travelled! Along the way a set of “Milestones” give information about the Oxfam projects in that country.

Although 20,000km sounds a long way, we have 3 months from 1^st February to complete it. If we get 100 participants, the average distance each needs to travel is only about 13km (8miles) a week. Some will do more, others less. Whatever distance you can cover is welcome!

Any physical activity that involves movement can be included. If you have a device that records your mileage, like Strava, the website can log your input automatically. If not you can add your mileage manually, as often as is convenient. The event will go live on 1^st February, ie we track our miles from then on.

First get an entry ticket costing £10 per adult, which you buy this at the event page : https://zentoevent.com/the-oxfam-community-winter-challenge/ A reply will explain how to register with “MyVirtualMission” which takes your distances and shows where the team have got to as the days pass by. Only adults (over 18s) can buy tickets, but at the registration step, you can include one minor up to age of 18; you simply add their name to yours.

Along the way chances to donate to Oxfam via Justgiving will appear, these are optional, people can donate as appropriate, or share to friends who might donate. The page for Oxfam St Albans supporters to donate on is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Oxfam-St-Albans

Oxfam desperately needs our support at this time in its efforts to help the vulnerable and those in poverty. The Covid pandemic and climate change are hitting the neediest people hard and many of the traditional means of raising funds, like the Oxfam shops and street collections are closed at the moment. So, please join in, have some fun and do a lot of good!

Dear Oxfam friends, we hope this finds you well.

• Thanks – big thanks – to everybody who made September, October and November their “Walking for Oxfam” months.
• Continued donations by our trusty supporters meant by Christmas time we had raised an amazing total of £5,068 for Oxfam Walk for Water 2020.
• Thank you so much to all who have joined in.
• Oxfam Walk for Water went onto a flexible footing as we could not bring walkers together on a set date.
• You could still walk your favourite route and donate via our Walk for Water Justgiving site to help Oxfam’s Water Projects. You can walk anywhere – no need to be in St Albans!
• Send your photos and messages of support to oxfamstalbans1@gmail.com – and follow Oxfam St Albans on Facebook.
• Go the Routes 2020 page to download the traditional Oxfam routes near St Albans and see new suggestions
• Our classic 3, 5, 8 and 15 mile Oxfam routes have been checked and written so they can be followed without the usual Oxfam waymarks, are still available on the Routes 2020 page, either to print or save on your phone.

Oxfam needs our help more than ever as it tries to bring clean water and handwashing to those in need. The new Oxfam Handwashing Station can be a real lifesaver in situations such as refugee camps. Each one costs £45 to make – that means we could have sponsored 112 of them so far!