Dear Oxfam friends,

Current circumstances mean we’ve decided:

• Our 2020 event needs to be flexible
• So we encourage you to start walking NOW
• Log your walks & DONATE to Oxfam’s Walk for Water page as you go
• We will publish our ROUTES so you can use these – or choose your own
• FUNDRAISING ENDS 26th September
• Read more below and watch for our updates!
• To see details of Oxfam’s response during the global COVID-19 pandemic HERE

With its shops and fundraising avenues like festivals closed, Oxfam needs our support more than ever. However, circumstances mean we cannot offer our Walk for Water in the usual way, as bringing walkers and helpers together at the Scout Hut and at places around the routes would not be responsible. If we can waymark some routes on certain dates we’ll announce it.

So, we are switching to a flexible approach and one that fits the current lifestyle emphasis on outdoor exercise.

Start your Walk for Water efforts NOW by logging your countryside walks. Follow the classic 3, 5, 8 and 15 mile Oxfam routes, which we will post here on our website and develop your own favourite walks and tell us about them.

Write into us at Oxfamstalbans1@gmail.com with your photos and news of where you have been. Let’s build a “Walk for Water” community this year. Who can log up the greatest mileage?

Our original event date of 26 September can be the target date for completing fundraising.

Fundraising arrangements. All participants donate to Oxfam (you decide the amount) and/or also collect sponsors. We have a Just Giving page already running and here you or your sponsors can donate money and opt to Gift Aid it too, giving Oxfam a valuable 25% increase. However, if you are putting money aside at a more gradual rate then start a “Oxfam Fundraiser Sheet” and log your progress towards a water cube or a hand-washing station. Each time you reach another £10, donate to the Justgiving page and tell us about your walks.

We know that Oxfam will have great needs to meet in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene fields – its special areas of expertise – so we want to rise to the challenge and fundraise as much as before. Join in and help us get there!

The money placed on the Justgiving page will be available for Oxfam’s use within a few days, helping it to respond to Covid-19 situations and people in need.