Chester's Volunteer Story
My first year as back walker was 2015. I was a bit nervous as I did not know what to expect so I opted to do the 6 mile walk. In 2016 I took on the longer walk of 12 miles. The following year an extra mile was added and I’ve continued to be the back walker for the 13 mile walk ever since.
Those at the tail-end of the walk get plenty of encouragement from me and someone to chat to if they are on their own, to help them get through the walk or to get as far as they possibly can. It can get lonely at the back, but my aim is to make sure everybody gets back and nobody is left behind.
My first year of doing the longer walk saw me arriving back at North Bridge at 6.40am as the sun was starting to rise. People must be getting fitter or my words of encouragement are getting better as each year it seems to get quicker! In 2019 I arrived back at 5.30am, which was a record time!
Seeing the marshals and hearing their words of encouragement also helps get us all around the route and when I tell them that I’m the back marker and they can stand down, the look of relief on their faces is priceless. What I love the most though is the welcome from the whole team and their cheers when they see me walking back into North Bridge. Warm drink, bacon butty, home time. Ready to go again the following year!