Registration has officially opened for the 20th Saffery Rotary Walk, Guernsey’s only around-the-island walk, offering participants early bird prices for those who sign up before 31 January 2017.

2017 represents a very special year for the Walk’s organising committee with it being the 20th anniversary of the first Rotary Round the Island Walk. Event sponsor, Saffery Champness, also celebrates 40 years here in Guernsey in 2017.

Those who register by 31 January will pay a discounted price of £20, after which the regular registration fee will be £25.

Due to the incredible success of the relay team option, which was launched during the 2016 walk, walkers will once again be able to take part as a relay team with a maximum of seven people in each team. The early bird price of £100 for team registration will be available until 31 January, after which the regular team registration fee will be £140.

Chair of the walk’s organising committee, Simon Milsted, said: “The relay option was a popular addition to last year’s walk with 19 groups taking part. It’s a great alternative for people who may not want or are unable to complete the whole walk but still want to take part and support local charities.

“The walk is divided into sections by a number of checkpoints along the route, with each section being between four and eight miles in length and of varied levels of difficulty.”

Next year’s Saffery Rotary Walk takes place on Saturday 3 June 2017 and the organisers hope to attract a record number of participants.

“The 2016 walk raised a record breaking £57,526 which was donated to 18 local charities. We plan to do better still both in terms of numbers of people taking part and money raised in this our 20th anniversary year of the Walk,” said Mr Milsted

The Saffery Rotary Walk, sponsored by Saffery Champness, has launched a new website to mark its 20th anniversary. Participants can register through the event’s website: www.safferyrotarywalk.com via the online sign-up and fundraising platform Race Nation which also enables people to raise sponsorship and donate through a secure online server.

Alternatively, paper registration forms are available from the offices of Saffery Champness at La Tonnelle House, Les Banques, St Sampson’s.

Director at Saffery Champness and head of the firm’s CSR activity, Lisa Vizia said: “We are pleased to sponsor an event which helps so many deserving charitable projects on the island. Being involved in the 20th Saffery Rotary Walk is also a great way to celebrate Saffery Champness’ 40th anniversary in Guernsey and we are determined to help make this year’s walk its best event yet.”

Walkers complete the challenge in aid of a range of local charities and not for profit organisations, all of which operate in Guernsey and the Bailiwick. The 2017 recipients will be announced in January.