How to take part in a charity night walk
Charity night walks are a great, inclusive way of fundraising and is something you can do with your friends and family.
These UK-based walks can be big or small and the number of people taking part is growing.
With organised events up and down the country, it can be easy to find one near to where you live. If you’d like to keep it more low-key though, it could just be simply something you do with a few friends.
Charities and worthy causes can be supported in doing this, with the help of online fundraising.
Where and when do charity night walks take place?
It may be easy to assume these large, organised walks only take place in major cities.
Due to the increase in their popularity, it’s actually not too hard to find one local to you.
There are well-known events in the UK like Cancer Research UK’s Shine Walk and NSPCC’s Walk for Children.
These events are organised by the charities themselves and often include entertainment, food and fundraising packs.
Marie Curie and Alzheimers UK are also large charities that put on events.
Various events take place throughout the year – it’s just about finding the right one for you.
Three ways to take part in a charity night walk
While big, organised events by well-known charities take place regularly, you can also organise your own walk.
The route can be as long, short, steep or flat as you like. The main thing is that you’re raising funds for charity and spreading the word while you’re doing it.
Here’s some more information about how you can do this.
Organise your own event from start to finish
It may sound daunting, but you could organise your very own charity walk.
Start off by considering what cause it is you want to raise funds for. This could be a known charity that people are familiar with, a small charity that is close to your heart or a local charity that serves the area.
Once you have decided on a charity, you can get your fundraising page set up. You’ll need to include details about why it is you’re raising money and basic details about the event (such as where, when etc).
Next, it’s important to consider what you want your event to be. It’s important here to map out a clear route that people know of.
It should, preferably, be an easy route so that all people of all different abilities can take part. It could start at a focal point near you, or end somewhere that a lot of people can gather at.
You should also consider safety when planning. This can mean planning your event at a suitable time of the day with plenty of light, visibility and on a route that is safe.
It’s also important to consider the scale of your event – how many people do you reasonably see taking part? Will your event cater to this many people? Are there arrangements in place for people to get safely there and back?
You will need to take out public liability insurance to ensure your event is adequately covered. A number of insurance companies offer single event insurance and it costs around £70. Try events-insurance.co.uk
If you would like to plan a midnight walk, there’s also plenty of tips here about how to plan a safe and fun event in the evening.
Once your plan is in place and you’ve got your fundraiser set up, it’s time to start promoting it.
Don’t think too small here – the possibilities are endless. Share your campaign with your friends, colleagues and family. Ask them to share it with their network.
Utilise your social media, share it as frequently as you can. Perhaps get the attention of local networks and schools.
Register your event with a charity
Once you’ve settled on the charity you would like to raise money for, it’s time to register your event with this chosen cause.
You can start your own fundraiser and register it with a range of charities. This can help to get further support when you are planning the event.
You can raise for charity directly through GoFundMe, but by registering your event with other charities you can get further help.
This could even include resources like fundraising packs, name bibs and fun accessories.
Take part in an organised walk
Night walks take place all over the UK – both large and small in scale.
There are events that take place across all seasons, no matter the weather.
This is the easiest way for you to take part if you’re keen, as the onus of organising an event is gone.
You can just simply set up your fundraising page and register for the event.
Five popular charity night walks in the UK
If this sounds up your street, there’s lots of fun charity night walks you can take part in.
Here’s some of the most well-known ones.
Shine Night Walks
Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walks are popular events that take place all over the UK.
The events take place in most major cities in the UK, including Cardiff, York and Glasgow.
Generally, the walk is 10k and it can cost up to £17.49 to attend.
MoonWalk London
MoonWalk London is a great way to do a night-time stroll and enjoy the capital.
It starts off at Clapham Common and participants have the option of walking either a marathon or half-marathon distance.
Taking place in May 2024, entry fee is £49.95.
Night of Neon
The Christie Charity’s Night of the Neon takes place annually, in February.
The neon-themed walk sees walkers in fancy dress walk 5k around Salford Quays.
It is £15 for adults to enter, with the charity asking that participants raise a minimum of £50.
Walk for Children
The NCPCC also put on an event, Walk for Children.
You can complete the walk anywhere in the UK. The point is everyone is taking part together in lots of different locations.
Hundreds of people across the UK walk 5k on 22 December, the longest night of the year. Because for children suffering abuse, every night feels like the longest, the charity says.
Walk of Light
Blood Cancer UK’s Walk of Light is also a good fundraising event to get involved in.
It aims to keep the memory of loved ones alight with bright lights and takes place in Birmingham. Walkers can take part in a 5k walk or 2.5k.
It’s a £5.00 entry fee and participants are encouraged to raise £50.
Start your fundraising journey
Whether you stroll, walk or stomp – you can really make a difference by raising money taking part in these events.
It’s something you can try alone to make new friends or you can involve your social group in.
If you’re feeling inspired, it could also be something you organise in your area where you decide the cause.