The Big Walk

Former Norwich City footballer Grant Holt is joining Tom Burkill, Managing Director and Mark Pollard, Financial Director from Superformula Group and Anglian Chemicals for an ambitious 93-mile fundraising challenge in support of Big C Cancer Charity and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

‘The Big Walk’ will be a four-day challenge which will see three walkers set off from East Anglian Air Ambulance’s Cambridge base in the early hours of Friday 9 October, before finishing at the air ambulance’s Norwich base on Monday 12 October.

The challenge brings both charities together in a uniquely designed route that starts and ends at East Anglian Air Ambulance bases, while tracing a giant ‘C’ in recognition of Big C.

The walkers hope to raise vital funds and awareness for Big C and East Anglian Air Ambulance, two charities that support thousands of people across the region every year. Big C provides holistic support for people affected by cancer, while East Anglian Air Ambulance delivers critical emergency medical care and life-saving treatment when every second counts.

Grant Holt said, “I’ve seen first-hand how important charities can be to families facing some of life’s toughest moments. Cancer has affected my own family and it’s a cause that’s close to my heart. I’m proud to be joining The Big Walk alongside the team from Superformula Group and Anglian Chemicals to raise money, create awareness and hopefully inspire people to get behind two fantastic charities. It’s going to be tough, but that’s part of the challenge. We know every mile will help support the incredible work both organisations do every day.”

Grant Holt is no stranger to endurance fundraising. In recent years, he has completed a 100-mile walking challenge in support of Big C and a separate 150-mile walk, helping to raise significant funds for Big C as well as Community Sports Foundation.

Tom Burkill, Managing Director at Superformula Group, said, “We’re incredibly excited to take on The Big Walk with Grant who has been a superb support to our charity fundraising efforts already over the years. Both Big C and East Anglian Air Ambulance make a huge difference to people across our region. We wanted to create a challenge that would not only raise vital funds but also shine a spotlight on the incredible work these charities do. Walking 93 miles will certainly test us, but it’s nothing compared to the challenges faced by many of the people supported by Big C and EAAA. We have the most incredible support from the teams at Blakeley and Desira Motor Company, with Blakeley generously donating our clothing for the walk and water bottles, and an amazing support car provided by Desira, for the duration of the walk.”

Karen Vincent, Chief Executive at Big C said, “We’re hugely grateful to Grant, Tom, Mark and everyone involved in The Big Walk for choosing to support Big C. Every pound raised will help us continue to provide free support, advice and wellbeing services for people affected by cancer across Norfolk. We will be cheering the team on all the way and hope that people and businesses across the region will get behind this inspiring challenge.”

Luke Abendroth, Corporate Fundraising Lead at East Anglian Air Ambulance, said, “The support of fundraisers like Grant and the Superformula team is vital to helping East Anglian Air Ambulance continue delivering 24/7 lifesaving critical care across the region. The Big Walk is an inspiring challenge and we’re delighted that funds raised will support our mission. We’ll be cheering the team on from Cambridge to Norwich!”

Businesses can also get involved by sponsoring 10-mile blocks of the challenge at £1,000 per block. Each sponsor will have their brand featured on T-shirts worn during their sponsored section, with the team going live on Grant Holt’s social media channels during that stretch. Sponsors will also be included and tagged in future social media posts connected to The Big Walk, giving companies a visible way to support two much-loved regional charities while helping raise awareness across a wider audience.

To find out more about The Big Walk, donate or sponsor a 10-mile block in support of Big C Cancer Charity and East Anglian Air Ambulance, please visit the official fundraising page.