The Big Walk 2024 - FAQs

My question is about signing up

What do I get for signing up?

By booking your place at the Big Walk, you will receive:

• Entry to the Big Walk 2024 on Friday 28 June 2024 - this includes access to route cards and briefing notes in the run up to the event. and support on the day 
• Your Big Walk 2024 fundraising t-shirt, medal and certificate.
• A lunchtime veggie salad box (please bring additional food as required). 
• Hot dogs and salad at the University Arms finish line - other charged options available at the bar.
• Free celebratory pint or soft drink once you've crossed the finishing line. 

How do we sign up as a team?

Regardless of team or individual, all walkers must sign up individually using our Google Form. 

Can my partner/friend sign up to the Big Walk if they aren’t from the University?

Yes! The walk is open to anyone, so we’d love for your partner/friend to join you on the walk.

Can I sign up if I am not a member of staff, student or alum (former student)?

Yes! Anyone can take part in the walk regardless of their association with the University. 

I haven’t received a confirmation email!

We aim to get a confirmation email out to all walkers within five working days of your booking. If you have an urgent query please contact the Big Walk team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 222 5598. 

Do I have to pay first or sign up first?

Please ensure you buy your place first via our online booking form. Then straight afterwards, please complete our Google form. You will need to complete both forms to guarantee your place on the Big Walk.

When is the booking deadline?

Bookings close at 23:59 on Friday 31 May 2024. Book soon to avoid disappointment.

My question is about payment

Where can I pay for my entry?

Please pay via the online booking form here

Buy my place at the Big Walk 2024

Can I pay for someone else’s place?

Yes, that is not a problem. Please email the Big Walk team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk and let us know whose place you have paid for as this won’t show up on our systems. Otherwise we will chase up the person you have so kindly paid for further down the line for payment!

Do I have to pay or sign up first?

Please ensure you buy your place first via our online booking form. Then straight afterwards, please complete our Google form. You will need to complete both forms to guarantee your place on the Walk.

I haven’t received confirmation of my payment.

You should receive an email from our online booking form confirming that you have paid for your Big Walk place automatically after you have paid. If you have not received this email within two hours of payment please get in touch with the Big Walk team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk and we will be able to check if it has gone through on our system. Please note we will only be able to reply within working hours Monday - Friday. 

I can’t take part in the walk anymore. Can I get a refund?

Unfortunately we are unable to issue any refunds for entry into the Big Walk. You are able to pass on your entry, however this must be before Friday 31 May 2024, the new entrant must fill in our Google form, and you must email us to let us know that you have passed on your place. Any funds left in our account at the end of August 2024 will be donated to Motor Neurone Disease research at the University of Sheffield. 

What does my entry fee include?

Your fee will cover some really important aspects of the Big Walk. This includes but is not limited to: provision of refreshments along the route, your Big Walk t-shirt, professional first aid provision along the route, and hire for venues to use as marshal points.

Your entry fee does not include coach travel from the Octagon to the start point. There is a £4 additional charge for coach travel. If you wish to book a space on the coach, please indicate this when you pay for entry: www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/big-walk-payment.

My question is about the day - General

What if I can’t complete the route?

We hope that all of our participants will aim to complete their chosen route. On the day, if you become injured or are unable to continue the Walk, our marshals will be able to take care of you and if appropriate organise transport to take you back to the University.

I originally said I don’t want transport but now my plans have changed. Can I still get the organised transport?

Where possible please do try and let us know (giving@sheffield.ac.uk) at least two weeks in advance of the Walk. However, we do understand that things may change at short notice, so if circumstances change at the last minute we will try to accommodate you. Please note, there is a £4 additional charge for coach travel. 

If your plans change and you no longer need transport, you must let us know so that we have an accurate figure for transport. We are unable to offer a refund for your coach travel payment. You are able to pass on your coach space to another walker, however this must be before Friday 14 June 2024, and you must email us to let us know that you have passed on your place. 

What should I bring with me?

We'll send a full list of the equipment you will need in our final instructions two weeks before the event. Here's an idea of what you are likely to need: 

• Day sack (lined with a plastic bag)
• Water bottle with at least 1 to 2 litres of water (more if especially hot)
• Sunscreen and hat 
• Waterproof jacket and trousers for a wet forecast. 
• Spare warm top 
• Comfortable walking boots / shoes - there are some steep ascents and hard terrain so bear this in mind when choosing your footwear
• Pair of spare socks
• Personal 1^st Aid kit
• Mobile phone 
• Food/snacks

Optional items if you have them:

• OS Map sheets of the area
• Walking poles

Can I bring my dog with me?

No, dogs are NOT permitted on either route.

I have signed up to walk/run but now I would like to run/walk. Is that okay?

You can walk or run your chosen route, but please do try and let us know (giving@sheffield.ac.uk) by Friday 14 June 2024 at the latest. We permit individuals who do a combination of running and walking, although please note that there will be limited resources available for any runners along the route.

Will there be points to refill my water along the way?

Please start the walk with two litres of water and have the capacity to carry two litres with you along the route in a refillable water bottle. Most marshal points will have facilities available for you to refill your bottles.

Will there be snacks and food offered on the route?

We will be providing energy snacks along the way such as flapjack and fruit. We encourage you to bring your own snacks for personal preference, and hunger may strike at a point between marshal stops. We will also be providing something larger at lunchtime (a high-carb vegetarian salad box at the Grouse Inn) and dinner (hot dog and salad at the University Arms).

What should I wear on the day?

On the Big Walk Itinerary page, we have outlined suggestions for what to wear. Essentially you should wear something comfortable and breathable, and be prepared for all weather! You will be getting a Big Walk t-shirt, which will be a sweat-wicking sports material, so bear that in mind when planning what to wear.

Where will the toilets be on the route?

You will find toilet and refreshment stops marked on the route maps can be found on the Big Walk Itinerary page. For the Big Walk 2024, we've tried our best to offer as many toilet breaks and refreshments stops as possible. 

Can we drop off a bag along the route?

Unfortunately we do not offer a bag drop off service.

Will there be any cows along the route?

People walking the 20 mile route will most likely not encounter any cows en route. There may be some immediately as you leave Hathersage, though these are well fenced off. 

Walkers on the 30 miles route may encounter cows as they descend the fields into Baslow, and will also walk past the (very friendly and passive) Highland Cattle at Baslow Edge. 

Where we have been able to, we have notified farmers that we will be walking along the public rights of way through their land. They may or may not act on this information.

Where is there available car parking on campus?

We strongly encourage you to make your way to campus by public transport as you may find it difficult to drive home afterwards. If you would like to travel by car, there are parking spaces available at the Durham Road Q-Park near the Octagon.

20 mile route questions

What are the arrangements for transport to the start line?

We will be organising coaches to take participants from the University of Sheffield (Octagon centre on Western Bank) to the Three Merry Lads start point. There is an additional charge of £4 per person for the coach. To book a place on the coach, please ensure you select the '20 Mile plus coach' option on the Big Walk 2024 payment form. If you have not booked a place on the coach, please email giving@sheffield.ac.uk and we can arrange this. 

Can I make my own way to the start line?

You are more than welcome to make your own way to the start line at the Three Merry Lads. For more details on when to arrive, please visit the Big Walk Itinerary page.

What is the total elevation on the route?

The total ascent is 566m - that's over seven times the height of the Arts Tower!

30 mile route questions

What are the arrangements for transport to the start line?

We will be organising coaches to take participants from the University of Sheffield (Octagon centre on Western Bank) to the Three Merry Lads start point. There is an additional charge of £4 per person for the coach. To book a place on the coach, please ensure you select the '30 Mile plus coach' option on the Big Walk 2024 payment form. If you have not booked a place on the coach, please email giving@sheffield.ac.uk and we can arrange this. 

Can I make my own way to the start line?

You are more than welcome to make your own way to the start line at the Three Merry Lads. For more details on when to arrive, please visit the Big Walk Itinerary page.

Can I swap to the 20 mile route instead?

In the lead up to the Walk you can swap from the 30 to the 20 mile route, but please try and let us know by Friday 14 June 2024 by emailing giving@sheffield.ac.uk

What is the total elevation on the route?

In total it is 760m - that’s almost ten times the height of the Arts Tower!

My question is about training

Are there any training walks set up?

Yes! Our fantastic route planner, Big Walk Will, has be put these training walks together for you to get Big Walk ready! 

Big Walk 2024 training walks

Use these walks and find others on the internet and get training! Why not organise between yourselves to go for a training walk a day a week after work, or at the weekend.

Where can I see the written instructions for the route?

Draft copies of the routes can be found on the Big Walk Itinerary page. Final editions of the routes will be made available on the Big Walk Itinerary page and in our email briefing to walkers. 

My question is about fundraising

How do I set up my Just Giving page?

Please find our Just Giving page set-up instructions for Big Walk 2024 here:

Just Giving instructions

And download your 'I'm fundraising for MND' email signature here. 

How do I create a team on Just Giving?

First of all, the team captain needs to create their fundraising page, using the instructions above. From the team captain's fundraising page select ‘Create a Team’. Fill your team page with your team's story and motivations, then share your team page with your friends for them to join. Remember to set your target based on the number of people in your team. i.e. £300 for two team members, £600 for four, £900 for 6 members, etc.

I'd like hard copies of the sponsorship form. Where can I find these?

If you'd prefer to collect funds using a hard copy sponsorship form, you are more than welcome to. On the last pages of our Big Walk fundraising guide, you will find a sponsorship form that you can print and share with your supporters.

When you've collected all donations using the hard copy, please pay this by using our online donation page (please write your name and ‘Big Walk 2024’ in the comments bar) or by coming directly to our office at 40 Victoria Street.

Big Walk fundraising guide

I want to run an event for my fundraising - how do I go about this?

That’s great - take a look at our Big Walk fundraising guide for ideas if you’re stuck. If you’d like any posters for your event then let us know and we’ll see what we can do to help. Do try and let us know as far in advance as possible. We can also give you a fundraising tin/bucket, just drop us an email at giving@sheffield.ac.uk to organise this.

Big Walk fundraising guide

What if I don’t raise the minimum total?

We encourage you to put in as much effort as you can to fundraise, our Big Walk fundraising guide contains more information about how to do so. If you have put efforts into raising offline/online and don’t raise the full £150 then that is not a problem, we would just like you to try and raise as much as you can.

How can I pay in offline (cash or cheques) fundraising?

You can either pay this by using our online donation page (please write your name and ‘Big Walk 2024’ in the comments bar) or by coming directly to our office at 40 Victoria Street. Please refrain from paying this in yourself on Just Giving as these will be subject to fees and we will not receive the whole donation.

I’m not running an event but I’d still like a bucket/tin for my fundraising. Can I do this?

Yes, you certainly can! Just drop us an email at giving@sheffield.ac.uk to organise this.

I’m in a team - how much do we need to raise?

Please multiply £150 by the number of people in your team to get a fundraising target, e.g. £900 for a team of 6, £1500 for a team of 10 etc. 

Can I fundraise through Facebook’s fundraising platform?

Unfortunately we don’t offer that at the moment, but do share your Just Giving page on Facebook with a link through for ease of donating. We will also be sharing Big Walk posts from the University’s Facebook account, so please like and follow us so you can see and reshare these posts too! 

Can I get gift aid from offline donations? 

Yes - this can happen in two ways. Where possible you can use the sponsorship form available in our Big Walk fundraising guide so that we get Gift Aid details for your eligible donors. Please make sure to include the full address for both you (the fundraiser) and your eligible donors. Alternatively, we have a “Gift aid small donations scheme” whereby up to £8,000 of donations are eligible for gift aid as collected from buckets, tins etc. throughout the year. However, if we have a superb year in offline fundraising we can’t guarantee that all offline fundraising will be eligible for gift aid.

How do I get a Just Giving text code?

Unfortunately the Just Giving Text service is no longer available. Instead we would recommend you point people in the direction of your page, which can be accessed on mobiles and portable devices.

My question is about volunteering

How can I volunteer for the Big Walk?

First of all, thank you! Please sign up as a volunteer here. Please email giving@sheffield.ac.uk for more information.

Can I choose my role and the times I volunteer?

Yes - the form we are using for 2024 allows you to choose which role you would prefer, in the location and at the times that best suits you. If you require a certain role for personal reasons, e.g. mobility then please do let us know to give you priority for that role.

Can I use my own car? 

If you are a member of staff and will technically be 'at work' on the day, your car will need to be covered under business insurance. It is the car user/owner's responsibility to put this business insurance into place with their insurance provider. Please ensure you are fully ensured on the day of the event.

My question isn’t listed above

I can’t make the Big Walk but I’d still like to fundraise and do an event

That’s great! Please email the Giving team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk if you’d like more ideas or to let us know your plans so that we can support you, provide you with a fundraising tin/bucket and promote your event! Follow this link for tips on how to set up your own event or challenge and you can also check out our Big Walk fundraising guide.

If I work at the University do I need to take annual leave for the Big Walk?

There is an agreement in place at the University that, at the discretion of your line manager, you can have the day to do the Big Walk or to volunteer to help on the day without using your annual leave. Please make sure that you do discuss it with your line manager!

My question still isn’t listed!

Please email giving@sheffield.ac.uk and we will do our best to help you with your question.