The Big Walk 2024 - terms and conditions

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Event details

• The Big Walk 2024 has an option of two routes – a 20 mile route or a 30 mile route.
• The event is being organised by the Campaigns and Alumni Relations office (CAR) in conjunction with Will Legon of Will4Adventure.
• Invitations to enter the walk will be sent to staff, students and alumni.
• Both route options take place in the Peak District which involves walking up and down hills, but nothing has been deemed too steep. The routes follow footpaths, bridleways, byways and some pavements. It is easily navigated and pleasant to follow.
• Regular updates will be shared with all participants to their provided email address, and a final update with full instructions and health and safety procedures sent out in the week leading up to the walk.
• At least two weeks before the event participants will be given final written instructions via the website to help with navigation. Additionally, marshals will be located along the routes to help show the way at key locations.
• If you are an experienced runner, you will be very welcome to participate on either route. However, please note that this is predominantly a walking event, and there will be limited resources available.

Registration

• All participants must register prior to the event via BOTH our online booking page and Google Form.
• If you are signing up as a team to The Big Walk, each team member must sign up separately. See 'fundraising' for information about fundraising as a team.
• The University has agreed to give staff participants the opportunity to take part in the Big Walk 2024 without using annual leave. Before you apply, the terms of your leave must be agreed with your line manager and if need be, in consultation with your departmental HR adviser.
• Under the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The University of Sheffield will use the information provided by you for the University of Sheffield's education, social, administrative and fundraising purposes only. To view our full privacy policy please visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/privacy-policy

Entry fees, cancellation and changes

• The entry fee for The Big Walk 2024 is £15 for staff, students, alumni and members of the public. 
• To take part in either route for the Big Walk 2024 participants MUST fill out this Online Entry Form
• Additionally, participants for both routes must pay a non-refundable entry fee via the online store - sheffield.ac.uk/giving/big-walk-payment.
• It is possible to purchase multiple entry fees for other participants, however this must be communicated to the Big Walk Team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk 
• The booking deadline is Friday 31 May 2024, but places may be filled sooner than this date. Should you be unsuccessful in receiving a place we will notify you and you will be asked to join a reserve list. You will be contacted to fill a space once your place on the reserve list is confirmed.
• If you are no longer able to take part, you are able to pass your place to another entrant with no additional charge. This must be done by Friday 31 May 2024 by emailing giving@sheffield.ac.uk
• If you are unable to pass on your place, or if the event has to be cancelled, we cannot refund sponsorship or entry fees. In this instance, and if there are any funds left from entry fees by Friday 30 August 2024. These will be donated to Motor Neurone Disease research.
• In the event of cancellation, for example changes in government guidance or due to bad weather, we will try our best to rearrange the event for a later date. These situations may be due to factors outside of our control, and decisions will need to be made based on participant safety.
• Entry to The Big Walk will be closed on Friday 31 May 2024, to ensure all participants have been fully briefed and given enough time to safely train. If you would like to join after this time please email giving@sheffield.ac.uk to discuss this.

Participation 

• Your event place will only be confirmed upon receiving your payment through our online booking form and your registration through our Google Form.
• Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
• We aim to confirm your place on the walk within five working days of your booking. 
• You will not be allowed to participate in The Big Walk if you have not registered or paid your entry fee. You MUST pay your entry fee before completing the Google Form registration. 
• You will be reminded beforehand if you have not done either of these, but it is your responsibility to ensure you have paid and registered.
• Taking part is not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or pushchairs due to the uneven terrain in the Peak District. For alternatives ways to get involved , please visit our Other ways to fundraise page. We'd love for as many people as possible to be involved!
• Dogs are not permitted on this route. Should you bring a dog to the event, you will not be allowed to take part. 
• Participants under 18 are permitted but must be entered under the care of another participant over 18, and they must have permission from their parent or legal guardian.
• You are able to swap from the 30 mile route to the 20 mile route, however this must be requested by Friday 14 June 2024 by emailing giving@sheffield.ac.uk
  • Under exceptional circumstances, this may be possible on the morning of the walk, however we reserve the right to refuse this if we have filled the capacity.
• Due to the additional training required, you are only able to swap from the 20 miles route to the 30 mile route before Friday 31 May 2024, 4 weeks prior to the event.
• Whilst The Big Walk is primarily a walking challenge, experienced runners are welcome onto either route on the event. Please note there will be very limited resources available, which will be made clear in the lead up to the event.

Fundraising

• By registering onto the event you pledge to raise a minimum of £150 for Motor Neurone Disease research. There is no option to register onto the event without a fundraising pledge.
• Online fundraising must be done through JustGiving, connected to our The Big Walk 2024 for MND research JustGiving page.
• Please return donations to us by Friday 30 August 2024, either in cash, cheque, donations to your Just Giving page or through our online donations page. If you will be returning money raised to us after this date, you must let us know by emailing giving@sheffield.ac.uk. 
• If you are signing up as a team you will be required to nominate a team captain/lead who is responsible for either carrying out or the delegation of: setting up a Just Giving page, ensuring all members have officially registered, ensuring all members are fundraising, providing us with accurate number of team members and returning any cash raised to the Big Walk team.
• The University of Sheffield is an exempt charity (X1089); Gift Aid can be collected on all eligible donations.

Health and Safety

• Participation in The Big Walk is at your own risk. We have completed risk assessments, however you are responsible for acting sensibly and taking care to protect your own health and safety, including looking after your belongings.
• The event is insured under the University’s current insurance provider.
• We will ensure there are sufficient numbers of first aid trained marshals, particularly at the half-way and end points.
• You are responsible for ensuring you are sufficiently fit and healthy to take part. If you are unsure about your physical ability or if you are new to walking, contact your GP prior to any training. 
• It is your responsibility to inform us of any changes to your health in the lead up to the walk.
• It is your responsibility to ensure you are confident and physically able to walk the required distance, e.g. by having completed sufficient training.
• It is your responsibility to provide us with appropriate emergency contact details - this MUST NOT be another participant on the route.
• All routes are taking place in the Peak District which involve walking up and down hills, but nothing has been deemed too steep. The route follows footpaths, bridleways, byways and pavements.
• We reserve the right to refuse participants walking on the day, in case of risk to themselves or other participants. If you are suffering from contagious illness including Covid-19, diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you must report illness to the Big Walk team (giving@sheffield.ac.uk) and not take part in the walk.
• If you drop at any point while on the Big Walk you must let us know by calling the number provided on your wrist band (provided on the day) immediately. 
• We rely on you to carry a fully charged phone during the event, this is to ensure we can manage risk in an emergency. 
• You may be required to download software onto your phone, such as OS Locate which gives you a six figure grid reference without signal. This will be relayed in sufficient time prior to the event.
• Note for 30 mile route - We encourage participants to challenge themselves to sign-up for this route, however we must stress that we want our walkers to be confident that they could complete 30 miles. This route will naturally be longer in time, distance, and generally very challenging.

Data and Communications

• We will hold your contact details, including third party information in the lead up to the walk, and we may use them in case of emergency during the walk.
• We will share regular updates with you using these details. It is your responsibility to ensure you have provided the correct details and that you are receiving our updates.
• We will provide you with a final update and a briefing session in the weeks leading up to the walk.
• We will use your contact details in the lead up to the event; after the event, you can can change your preferences here.
• Our photography on the day of the walk will involve walkers and volunteers across all walks. If we use this photography to celebrate the walk and to publicise future walks, we will contact you for your permission.

The Routes

• We will provide time ranges and cut-offs times for starting, reaching the designated half-way point and finishing. These are in place to ensure your health and safety, and we reserve the right to withdraw you from the walk if you cannot meet these times.
• By choosing a route, you are agreeing to walk the full distance. However, under certain circumstances transport will be provided back to Sheffield for those unable to complete the distance.
• Whilst the route lengths are confirmed, we may need to adjust the routes in unforeseen circumstances in order for the event to go ahead.
• We will provide you with a map as well as a route card with written instructions at least one month prior to the event. Our marshals will provide appropriate directions on the day, but ultimately you are responsible for navigating yourself.
• You MUST adhere to the countryside code, and leave no litter along the route.
• Dogs are NOT permitted at this event. 

Further Information and Support 

Further information about the Big Walk 2024 can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/big-walk

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch about any aspect of the walk, please contact the Big Walk team at giving@sheffield.ac.uk or contact Sarah Barnes, Fundraising Officer on 0114 222 5597.