The Meningitis Now Five Valleys Walk Sunday 30 September 2018

Your Handbook Thank you for taking part in the Five Valleys Walk and helping us to beat meningitis with every step. www.fivevalleyswalk.com #fvw

©Meningitis Now 2018 Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland). Company Registration Number 2469130 On the day Welcome Arrive at the checkpoint you wish to start from and hand in your CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY LETTER, which is included in this pack. Please note there will also be walkers registering on the day, so make We’re delighted you have chosen to take part in the Meningitis Now sure you are in the ‘pre-registered walkers’ queue to save valuable Five Valleys Walk on Sunday 30 September. With your support, we can walking time. continue to fight meningitis together. Checkpoints open at 8.30am and close at 5.30pm. The Cricket Club will be open from 8.30am and close later in the evening. This handbook contains everything you need to know about the walk, Route maps including fundraising advice to help you raise as much as possible. Once registered, the checkpoint marshal will give you a route map containing detailed walking instructions. Please follow the directions carefully. If you’ve done the walk before, don’t rely on memory as there are some small changes to the route this year. Remember, if you get into any difficulties, the marshals at any of the checkpoints will be Contents able to help you. Do save our office number in your mobile phone too: 01453 768 000. NB: Our route is signposted in one direction only. You can walk the route in reverse but On the day ...... 3 please be aware that we cannot be held responsible for unclear directions if you choose to do so. Plan your route ...... 4 What to wear Frequently asked questions ...... 5 Please wear comfortable clothes and sensible footwear such as hiking boots or sturdy shoes/trainers. Be prepared for all kinds of weather – bring your sun hat, sun cream and Our checkpoints ...... 6 – 7 your waterproofs! First aid Fundraising ...... 8 – 11 St John Ambulance staff will be in attendance on the day to deal with any minor injuries or emergencies. Please alert a member of staff at any of the checkpoints if you encounter a Five Valleys Walk merchandise ...... 12 problem. Raffle ...... 13 Dogs You are more than welcome to bring your dogs, but please be aware that we cannot take Local advertisements ...... 14 – 15 responsibility for them. Please ensure you take the necessary precautions to keep them safe and under control, as we’ve had a number of dogs getting lost in previous years. Water bowls are available at each checkpoint. Please remember to clear up after your dog and Our sponsors ...... 16 bring adequate poo bags.

• Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs • Leave gates and property as you find them • Protect plants and animals and take your litter home • Keep dogs under control • Consider other people

[email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 3 Plan your route FAQs

Do I have to complete the whole walk? Pitchcombe WC

7 No! The route is separated into eight checkpoints. You can walk as 6 much of the route as you want and start and finish at any of the WC checkpoints. Our free shuttle bus will take you back to your starting point.

Standish What time do the free shuttle buses run from? 8 Wood The buses circulate each route from 11.00am until 4.45pm. The last bus leaving the depot to return you to your starting point is at 4.45pm. Bus route maps will be WC 5 Lypiatt available at each checkpoint on the day. WC Where can I park my car? Stroud Cricket Club You are able to park your car at the Stroud Cricket Club or checkpoints. 1 Spaces are limited and the Nailsworth carpark will close at 6pm. Please note that there is no parking available at Slad or Lypiatt, and parking at Standish Woods is very limited. P WC Can I bring my dog? Key Brimscombe 4 YES! You are welcome to bring your dogs, but be aware that we cannot take Checkpoints WC responsibility for them. Please ensure you take the necessary precautions to keep FVW route FVW route which them safe and under control as there is livestock along parts of the route. Water overlaps cycle track bowls and poo bags are available at each checkpoint. Please remember to clean up Main roads after your dog. FVW route which FREE Stagecoach shuttle overlaps main roads buses are on hand to pick Nature trail 3 you and your tired feet up What happens if the weather is bad? FVW route suitable for Minchinhampton pushchairs & wheelchairs once you’ve finished your The event will still go ahead, please be prepared for all weather conditions. Common 2 walk. They will be available at checkpoints between How do I make a donation? Hot Food Nailsworth Fresh Tea Ice Cream Cake WC & Coffee 11am-4.45pm. For a map P WC You can donate via our Five Valleys Walk Just Giving page, please visit: P WC of their route, please visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/meningitisnow/fivevalleyswalk2018. Alcohol Picnic Spot Car Parking Toilets www.fivevalleyswalk.com Or you can donate over the phone, please call 01453 768 000. Finally, you can Free fruit and water Checkpoints at all checkpoints send us a cheque through the post. Please do not send cash in the post. 1. Stroud Cricket Club: along the A419 between Stonehouse and Stroud GL10 2LA 2. Nailsworth: Morrisons’ car park, centre of Nailsworth I have another question. How do I contact Meningitis Now? No parking at Slad or Lypiatt, 3. Minchinhampton: Corner of Minchinhampton Common, near the Parish Church and only very limited parking 4. Brimscombe: STB Engineering Ltd, Toadsmoor Road, Brimscombe Our offices are open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm at the following address, please at Standish Woods. We 5. Lypiatt: Round Elm crossroads, Stroud pop if you have a question: Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3TJ. Otherwise give suggest you park at Stroud 6. Slad: Bus shelter, opposite the war memorial on Slad Road Cricket Club or Nailsworth - us a call on 01453 768 000. follow the directions to our 7. Pitchcombe: North end of village, just off A4173 where A46 and A4173 split car parks. 8. Standish Woods: OS grid reference 832073 (Randwick end) A full list of FAQs can be found on our website. All checkpoints OPEN at 8.30am and CLOSE at 5.30pm, except The Cricket Club – open until late.

4 [email protected] partnership with: • 01453 769017www.facebook.com/MeningitisNow, • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 5 Our checkpoints NEW FOR 2018 – remember to collect your FREE refillable water bottle from your starting FREE fruit and water will be available at every checkpoint, and checkpoint! We are committed to reducing our tasty snacks are available to buy to help keep you going. On top plastic waste from the Five Valleys Walk so of this (and our wonderful checkpoint staff who will motivate you won’t be offering plastic cups this year. It will to keep going!), in 2018 we have: also be a souvenir for you to keep to remember the day! Thank you to our friends at GiftPoint for Stroud Cricket Club supplying these. You can expect a tasty Hog Roast in the afternoon, with stuffing and apple sauce. Salt Bakehouse will be serving fresh pizza directly from their brand-new pizza Brimscombe ovens, and sweet treats such as cakes and ice cream from Lovington’s will be available. Why not wash it down with a well-deserved pint at the end of The Canteen will once again be serving tea, coffee, cakes and those tasty energy the day? The bar will be open all day and open until late, so please join us. flapjacks, alongside delicious hot soup for a lunchtime pick-me-up. Our friends at Don’t forget - if you collect a sticker at each of the eight checkpoints you’ll Wheatley Printers are sponsoring this checkpoint and will be on-hand for all your be entitled to a FREE pint of Stroud Brewery Ale at the Cricket Club**. printing needs There will be a nature trail between Stroud Cricket Club and Nailsworth, so Lypiatt remember to pick up your sheet. Phew – you’ve made it through Toadsmoor Woods! Space is limited at Lypiatt, but We will also be joined by School of Larks from 4pm, ready to entertain us all and our staff are on-hand to refill your water bottles and cheer you on as you descend teach us their magical circus skills! into the beautiful Slad Valley. Renishaw are also sponsoring this wonderful checkpoint, so be sure to say hello. Between the Lypiatt and Slad checkpoints, D & L Beverages Nailsworth will be on hand serving refreshments throughout the day. The Canteen will be joining us with a stall of refreshments, including tea, coffee Slad and yummy breakfast bacon baps. Our friends at Ecotricity are here with giant garden games to join in with, and don’t forget to collect your nature trail prize. You’ve made it to the picturesque Slad Valley, and our staff will be here once again to greet you. We’ll have chocolate and flapjacks ready to buy – a well needed Constabulary will be here in the morning, joined by their big van energy boost! CEV, handing out free goodies for all. Pitchcombe Minchinhampton Space is limited once again at Pitchcombe, but it’s only a few short miles until you The Canteen will be serving fresh, hot pizza direct from their pizza oven, alongside reach Standish Woods. Don’t forget to refill your water bottles before you leave! tea, coffee and their famously delicious flapjacks. Adam’s Gelato Ice Cream will be joining them for an extra energy boost! Standish Woods Don’t forget to check out the stall hosted by The National Trust - they Sticking with tradition, Lovington’s Ice Cream will be waiting for you after maintain the land across Minchinhampton Common - and watch out for you emerge from the woods for a well-deserved rest stop. Our staff are the cows! on hand to serve fresh tea and coffee before a beautiful stroll down through the woods to Stroud Cricket Club. Information provided correct at time of printing. **Limited availability, first come first served. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for any other drink (aside water) and have no cash value. Vouchers must be redeemed at the designated ‘free pint bar’ on the day.

6 [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 7 Fundraising Looking for some inspiration? • Shout about what you’re doing far and wide. 21 miles is a massive achievement for anyone! Share your Just Giving Help make an even bigger difference page on social media and take a sponsorship form into the office. The Five Valleys Walk raises vital funds for the work of • Ask your friends and family to sponsor you £1 for each Meningitis Now. This year we’re asking our wonderful mile you aim to complete. walkers to try and raise £50 each – or more if you can! • Get sponsored to walk the route in fancy dress!

Your £50 could fund: • Host a pre- or post-Five Valleys Walk BBQ at home to celebrate your achievements and ask for donations from your guests. Septicaemia Getting medical help eeenn henn n n Some bacteria can cause meningitis and If you are concerned it could be ee septicaemia (blood poisoning). People with meningitis or septicaemia, you can: ee septicaemia may develop a rash of tiny red ‘pin rCommon e signs One pricks’ which can develop into purple bruising. Common signs 1,500 Call NHS 111 or your GP and symptoms THIS RASH DOES NOT FADE UNDER In an emergency you can: It couldand symptoms PRESSURE. DO THE GLASS TEST. • Have a sponsored playlist to listen to on the route. Your • Dial 999 for an ambulance save a life • Go to your nearest accident and hour symptoms cardsPress the side toemergency help department Common signs and symptoms of a clear glass for meningitis and septicaemia Describe the symptoms and say friends can choose a song you must listen to whilst fi rmly against the skin. that you think it could be meningitis or septicaemia. Spots/rash may • F ever with fade at fi rst. Early diagnosis can be diffi cult. If you people spots/rrecogniseash that Keep checking! havethe had advice and are still concerned, walking for a suggested donation. Will they be wonderful do not fade under get medical help again. Meningitis Helpline pressure is a Meningitis Helpline of bereavement counselling for ED EERGEN Meningitis08080808 Helpline 80 10 80 88 10 88 • DO NOT WT FOR R. If someone is ill 0808 80 10 88 and getting worse, get medical help immediately Download our free app www.MeningitisNow.orwww.MeningitisNow.org g www.MeningitisNow.org Available on iPhone and Android or wicked? • ON DR N, the spots/rash can be more Download our free app signs ofdiffi cult tomeningitis see. Do not wait for a rash. Download our free app www.meningitisapp.co.uk © Meningitis Now AvailableApril 2015. Next onreview iPhone Oct 2015. and Android Be aware of all the signs and symptoms. References for content of thisAvailable card are available on oniPhone our website. and Android Reg. charity number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland) someone who has lost a family member to meningitis • Run a sweepstake of how many miles you’ll complete, “I started to get flu-like symptoms, or the time it will take you to finish the walk. Split the which got progressively worse. “Counselling has been the proceeds between the winner and Meningitis Now. Alarm bells started to ring so I best therapy for getting • Bring your pooch along for the day and get them checked my symptoms card. I through every parent’s worst sponsored too. had six of the symptoms. I went nightmare, losing a child. If to hospital straight away. I’m so I’m honest, counselling has • The next time you’re at the pub, why not ask your mates grateful I had the card, it saved saved my life.” Diane to donate rather than buy you a beer? You’ll get a free pint my life.” Helen at the end of the walk after all, and you can set up your own ‘text to donate’ code via your Just Giving page.

Win a balloon ride for two This year’s top individual fundraiser will win a fabulous Setting up Just Giving is a quick and easy way to weekday morning hot air balloon ride for two, courtesy kick-start your fundraising. To set up your page, visit of Bristol Balloons. Just send your sponsorship monies to www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/ Meningitis Now by Wednesday 31 October 2018* meningitisnow/fivevalleyswalk2018 to be in with the chance of winning. You don’t have to worry about the paperwork and the money comes directly to us.

*For full terms and conditions please visit www.fivevalleyswalk.com

8 [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 9 Sponsorship

Using the sponsorship form included in your Welcome Pack helps you to collect donations. Remember to ask your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box - for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer, we receive an extra 25p from HM Revenue and Customs.

So that we can put your hard-earned money to good use, please collect and pay in your sponsorship as soon as possible after the walk has taken place. Don’t forget, we need to have received your sponsorship by Wednesday 31 October 2018* for you to be in with a chance of winning the top individual fundraiser’s prize.

There are a number of ways you can pay your money in. Please don’t forget to send your sponsor forms back so we can claim the Gift Aid.

At the bank Remember to use your unique paying-in slip attached to your ‘Confirmation of Entry’ letter. This is how we track your donation and means we can send you a thank you when we receive it. You can pay monies directly into your nearest NatWest branch. If you need a replacement paying-in slip, please contact us on 0345 120 4530 or email [email protected] By post You can post us your details and a cheque made payable to ‘Meningitis Now’ to:

Five Valleys Walk Meningitis Now Fern House Bath Road Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ We advise against sending cash in the post. Over the phone Call us on 0345 120 4530 with your credit or debit card details and we will be able to take your donations securely over the phone.

10 [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 11 Exclusive merchandise Raffle prizes

We are thrilled to launch the Five Valleys Walk online shop, where Don’t miss out on the chance to win some rather fabulous you can purchase t-shirts and much, much more! prizes in this year’s raffle.

Grab yourself an official limited edition Five Valleys Walk T-shirt Tickets are only £1 each and will be available this year, and for our furry friends, we have a rather lovely ‘doggie to buy on the day at all of our checkpoints. bandana’ - we are sure it will prove a popular choice! For the full selection of prizes available please take a look as you pass through the Stroud Cricket Club on the day!

DON’T FORGET – FREE BEER! Thanks to the support from Stroud Brewery, if you complete the whole 21 mile walk you will be entitled to a free pint* at The Stroud Cricket Club when you finish. Collect a sticker at each checkpoint on the way round to redeem your free drink (includes a bottle of water).

Visit www.teefunder.co.uk/shop/meningitis-now Information provided correct at time of printing. *Limited availability, first come first served. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for any other drink (aside water) and have no cash value. Vouchers must be redeemed at the designated ‘free pint bar’ on the day.

12 [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 13 NUP END GREEN

Nup End, Ashleworth, Gloucestershire, GL19 4JJ

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14 [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW [email protected] • 01453 769017 • www.fivevalleyswalk.com • #5VW 15 Thank you to the following local companies and organisations for their support with The Meningitis Now Five Valleys Walk 2018 – we really appreciate it:

Thank you also to... Adam’s Gelato Ice Cream Morrison’s (Nailsworth) Ben Creese Country Butchers and Salt Bakehouse Hog Roast in Gloucestershire School of Larks Bristol Balloons STB Engineering Ltd Chamberlain E A Holdings Ltd St John’s Ambulance D & L Beverages Stroud District Council Ermin Plant The Canteen GiftPoint Mr & Mrs Little (Pitchcombe) Gloucestershire Constabulary Mr & Mrs Cullimore (Lypiatt) Lovington’s Ice Cream Mr T George (Slad)

A huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who have given up their time today to man our checkpoints – the event could not happen without you.

Tel: 0345 120 4530 Email: [email protected] Meningitis Now Head Office Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3TJ

© Meningitis Now Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland). Company Registration Number 2469130.