Record breaking 25th annual city walk raises more than £53,000 for charities

• 16 September 2025

Over 2,100 people helped raise more than £53,000 in the 25th annual Bridge the Gap charity walk through the streets and colleges of Cambridge on Sunday (14 September 205) to support people via two local charities.

Walkers gathered at Parker’s Piece from 9am to take part in the family-friendly walk, which was organised by, and in aid of, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill and is kindly sponsored by The Cambridge Building Society.

The Charities were delighted that 2,156 walkers of all ages took part and supported – the highest number in the past ten years.

For some it was their first experience of the event but for others, like Angela and Stephen, from Ely, who have been supporting Bridge the Gap since 2012 they love returning to see parts of Cambridge that they don’t usually get to see. They said there’s something different to see each year and they like to support the good causes, as they had a family member who was cared for in the Inpatient Unit and friends who had been supported by Hospice at Home in the community.

This year’s route took in seven University of Cambridge colleges –  Emmanuel, Sidney Sussex, Trinity, Darwin, Corpus Christi, Pembroke and Downing, and the Charities are very grateful for their support.

Chris, from Trumpington was an under graduate at Kings college in the 1950’s and he and his wife, Diana enjoyed walking in the underpass at Emmanuel college.

150 generous volunteers gave their time to support the event as: route marshals; registering walkers as they checked-in; baking and serving cakes and preparing the site at Parker’s Piece.

20 volunteers from The Society of Cambridge Tourist Guides (SOCTG) were in locations throughout the route to provide walkers with expert insight about the history of the Colleges being visited.

Walkers enjoyed entertainment on the route from Waterbeach Brass Band, at Emmanuel College and The Collaboration Choir in Downing College, before returning to Parker’s Piece to hear Cottenham Brass Band and Malcolm Fovargue, and be entertained by the talented  East Anglia Swing Troupe.

Event organisers have announced that over £53,000 had already been raised from registrations this year. The total is expected to increase in the coming weeks once all donations and sponsorships have been included. The money will support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end of life care and young people, children and families experiencing disadvantage, challenging injustice and social exclusion.

Supporters included friends of Amy Sugg who walked in her memory. They met in 2014 at Vocal Remix Choir and, at a very emotional time, they sang to her as she was being cared for at the Inpatient Unit in 2024, just before they performed at Light up a Life event at the Hospice.

 

The Cambridge Building Society, celebrating its 175th Anniversary, has been headline sponsor for the past 17 years and is joined by Cambridge University Press and Assessment and the Rotary Club of Cambridge. Their sponsorship helps to cover the costs of the event, meaning that all proceeds from registrations, including any sponsorship raised by those taking part, can be split evenly between Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

Other event partners include Cambridge Independent and Cambridge Radio.

Bridge the Gap was launched in 2001, and over 49,000 walkers have now helped to raise more than £750,000 over the years to enable the charities to support people in the local community.

 

Sharon Allen OBE, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity said:

“A huge “thank you” to everyone who joined us on Sunday and took part in the 25th Bridge the Gap. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support our two charities.

This is such a special event and we are extremely grateful to each of the colleges for their enthusiastic support in providing access to their beautiful grounds.

I also want to thank all the route marshals who volunteered and gave their time freely, to enable the walkers to have a great experience and everyone who contributed in any way to yet another successful Bridge the Gap event.”

 

Neil Perry, Chief Executive of Romsey Mill, said:

“The 25th Bridge the Gap was a suitably special day! Thank you to everyone who took part – walkers, volunteers, singers and dancers! And our sponsors and event partners who helped to plan the event.

I love how this event uniquely brings so many different aspects of Cambridge together for a great day, and I look forward to seeing everyone again, next year!”

Peter Burrows, CEO of The Cambridge Building Society, headline sponsors, said:

“We are proud and delighted to be able to help fund, plan and deliver Bridge the Gap for the 17th time, in what is a special year for both the event and for us at The Cambridge.

This unique community event supports two great local charities and shows Cambridge at its best. We had more than 100 people from our team and their families taking part, as well as providing many volunteers on the day. It was great to see so many happy faces on the route and at Parker’s Piece.”

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To find out more about Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s events and challenges please visit: arhc.org.uk/eventsandchallenges