Walk together. Raise money. Save lives.
Marcus was just like any other guy. He worked hard and had a keen interest in fast cars. But for ten years he lived with progressive kidney failure, not knowing what his fate would be.
Thankfully his friends and family got him through the dark times. It was tough. But after months of debilitating dialysis and tests, his brother was confirmed as a match to donate a kidney. Marcus’ road to recovery had begun.
He takes each day in his stride and with improving health, decided to take part in the Newcastle Bridges Walk to raise vital funds for kidney research.
Marcus has experienced, first hand, how research has helped to save his life and wants to give something back to help others.
“I thought walking 7 miles might be hard work but the atmosphere on the day was incredible! My wife and I loved taking part. It was a real family day out.”
Join Marcus in Newcastle for the 2018 Bridges Walk. You’ll be helping power lifesaving research and end the battle with kidney disease. Forever.
Date: Date to be confirmed for 2019
Registration opens: 10am
Walk starts: 11am
Distance: approximately 7 miles
Location: The Baltic Centre, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
If you’re travelling by car, there are a number of car parks near the Baltic Centre. If you’re travelling by bus, metro or foot, information on getting to the Baltic Centre can be found on their website.
Download the route map.
How far is it?
The walk is approximately seven miles, incorporating some of the area’s most famous bridges and sights along the way.
What should I bring?
Suitable shoes/rucksack for carrying your personal items on the way round.
- Water – we will be providing bottled water but please bring your own too.
- Sun cream – sometimes the sun does come out, so please check the weather and be prepared.
- Umbrella/waterproof coat – check the weather and be prepared for rain!
- Your T-shirt – provided in your pack.
- Your wristband – this is supplied in your pack, please remember to complete the emergency contact details on the back.
- A copy of your route map – the route will be clearly signposted and you will be directed by marshals but you may wish to print off a copy that will be emailed to you in your final pack.
- “I’m walking for” belly poster – you’ll have received these in your welcome pack, we will have spare signs at the information tent on the day but don’t forget your safety pins to pin these to your T-shirts.
- Some cash – you may want to buy merchandise.
Who can come with me?
Bring along your friends, family and dogs - the more the merrier! Under 16s will need to take part with an adult who must have registered to take part. Our Walks are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Each walk will be suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs too.
Can friends and family register on the day?
It is not essential that all those wanting to take part register beforehand. Registration online closes one week before the walk but on the day registration will be available at a higher cost of £25 and £5 for children.
When should I arrive?
Registration opens at 10am, with Newcastle and Glasgow starting at 11am. London starts slightly later at 11:30am due to restrictions in the location.
Arrive with plenty of time before the walk starts, to enjoy the pre-walk entertainment and get checked in at the registration desk.
Will there be toilets along the route?
Toilets are provided at the start/finish of each walk and public toilets will be marked on the map.
When will I receive my pack?
You will receive your T-shirt and fundraising kit in the post, shortly after you register. Final information about the event will be sent to you VIA EMAIL approximately 1 week before the event. This will contain all the information you need about the day.
Please make sure you check your junk and spam boxes in case it slips through the net. If you still can’t find it, please call our Supporter Care team on 0300 303 1100
Event Cancellation
We only cancel events in extreme circumstances.
In the unlikely event we needed to cancel a walk, our website would be updated with further details as well as our Kidney Research UK Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Please check these on the morning of your walk to avoid disappointment.
Why do I need to raise a minimum sponsorship?
Your Bridges Walk registration fee covers the cost of your exclusive Kidney Research UK pack and T-shirt. We have tried to keep this as low as possible over the last few years but due the growing costs of materials and the increased quality of the items we have had to raise the registration fee in line with this.
We are committed to ensuring as much of every pound raised as possible goes directly into our research and awareness work. We strive to keep our costs as low as we can, and we continually review how we work to further improve our effectiveness.
In order to ensure that we contribute as much of your money as possible to Kidney Research UK’s work we, like other charities, set a minimum sponsorship target. This ensures we cover the costs relating to the event, in addition to raising money towards research. For example; event infrastructure, health and safety considerations, venue hire, water and snack bars and a marked-out route supervised by trained stewards who ensure the participants and supporters remain safe.
We will be working to support and encourage you from the minute you sign up to ensure that you are able to raise the required amount and we would encourage all participants to contact us as soon as possible if they are worried about reaching their target. It is important that you consider the commitment to the charity before you commit to taking part. If you cannot reach the minimum sponsorship, we would suggest that you could take part in your own challenge or fundraising event, that way you will just be asked to raise as much as you can and still become part of #TEAMKIDNEY. We would love to have you on board!
Easy ways to raise £100
- Bag pack – contact your local supermarket to see if they have any dates available for you to bag pack and get as many family and friends involved as possible. Let us know what you have planned so we can send you some collection boxes!
- Bake sale – a delicious way to boost your sponsorship! Try to schedule it at a time you know you’ll be busy and think about a location where you’ll get the most footfall.
- Car boot sale – have a clear out and instead of throwing things away, see if you can sell them. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
- Give it up – give up your favourite treat between now and the walk and donate the money you would have spent.
- Office quiz – have a bit of Friday fun! Split the office into teams and charge an entry fee. The winning team gets bragging rights for the foreseeable future!
Return your sponsorship
If you have already set up an online fundraising page, we will receive the money you raise automatically. If you have raised money using the sponsorship form in your pack, you can pay in the money you raised by phone using your debit/credit card – call us on 0300 303 1100 or send us a cheque made payable to “Kidney Research UK” to:
Kidney Research UK
Bridges Walks
Nene Hall
Lynch Wood Park
Peterborough
PE2 6FZ
If you are a UK taxpayer, the value of your donation can increase by at least 25% under the Gift Aid scheme – at no additional cost to you!
Set up your online fundraising page
Setting up and sharing an online fundraising page is the quickest and easiest way to start your fundraising:
- It's quick to set up and simple to use
- You can fundraise on your own or as part of a group
- Your friends and family can sponsor you easily online
- You can keep track of donations
Fundraising Toolkit
Along with your T-shirt and wristband we will send you a copy of our use our toolkit in your pack. This is packed with lots of fun ideas and tips to help kick start your fundraising.