Capetonians can start getting into shape for the annual 10km Big Walk, the largest community walk, to take place on Sunday 1 March 2015 at the Green Point Track in Cape Town. The fundraising event will now be called the Sunfoil 10km Big Walk, after a new title sponsor came on board this year.

At the launch of the event at Islamia College on Wednesday, Big Walk director Dr Ilyaaz Parker said the growing event can only successfully executed through a collective effort from its participants, the community, sponsors and committee.

“Collective effort is what is required and if we combine our efforts, phenomenal results will be achieved,” he said.

The City of Cape Town is the event’s official partner and is involved in its planning and logistics. Parker said the City would assist in the planning of the provisions of traffic services, catering, solid waste services and the venue.

The City of Cape Town’s director of sports and recreation Gert Bam said recreational activities such as the Big Walk played a significant role to the quality of life of the people of Cape Town.

“If we contribute to the quality of life of our citizens, we will make the city successful. We need to continue the tradition of charity, fun and good health for all in the community,” he said.

“Events like these keep our community particularly our youth constructively occupied. And by getting the youth actively involved by walking in the big walk, we can claim our streets back as a community…back from crime and gangsterism.”

This year’s entry fee is R30 and the 10km walk starts at 7.30 am at the Forecourt at Cape Town Stadium along Beach Road, Sea Point Promenade to the end of Sea Point Pavilion parking area, before returning to the finish at the Green Point Athletics Track.

All money generated from the Big Walk will go towards The Children’s Hospital Trust which ploughs funds into the Red Cross Children’s Hospital paediatric facilities.

“The Big Walk Exco is looking forward to the development of the event that will add value to the local community, to participants and its beneficiaries. The Red Cross Children’s Hospital is a major beneficiary of the event and received a cumulative total of over R1 million since 2009. The amount of lives of children impacted and saved by this initiative are great,” said Red Cross Children’s Hospital Trust head of communications Roxy Mitchell.

The upgrade of the paediatric facilities will include the extension of the facilities to offer 39 more beds in the high care unit, providing more life care equipment and providing more nursing staff.

“The Big Walk supports openness and social cohesion by welcoming all people to participate for charity and by adopting a policy of inclusivity in its procurement and beneficiation,” says Parker.

“Our aim is never to turn away a child who needs health care assistance,” added Parker.

The events sponsors include Polar Ice-Cream, Willowton, Sunfoil, Tekkie Town, and Winners Supermarket. Participants can expect a number of prizes to be drawn on the day including live entertainment. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)