Finders Keepers

The Moonlight Stroll

On Saturday 11th July 2009 32 members of staff took part in Oxford’s Moonlight Stroll, here is our report:

Saturday 11th July, 10:20pm. St. Edwards School, Oxford.

The setting was perfect: a sea of 1100 eager strollers with red t-shirts, clear Oxford streets with marshals on every corner, bundles of enthusiasm…

…and the rain. Quite a lot of rain in fact. About 2 hours of rain if we’re talking honestly between friends.

But in true British spirit the motley crew of 32 Finders Keepers people arrived at the start with waterproofs, umbrellas and a smile, trying to remember if the email request for volunteers had mentioned ‘possibility of rain’ or if the company handbook had a ‘wet weather emergency bail out’ option.

As the Jack FM DJs cranked up a warm up, our team gamely shook the odd limb to an old Gina G sound-a-like number and suddenly the 2009 Midnight Stroll bustled into life.

Immediately some of us were humbled: walking through learned, leafy North Oxford following a marshal with a twisted balloon on her head, we were overtaken by 20 women of a certain age gossiping faster than their feet could carry them. Method in their madness indeed.

The route went down into the city centre and wiggled its way for 9 miles. The Lamb & Flag was holding out for last orders, but most walkers sped past, the pace increased by the miserable, sodden conditions.

The city was quiet save for the legions of drunk Oxford youth debating about which nightclub to plunder, upmarket silver kebab vans the size of a house, and quiet couples on delicious summer dates. We looked on enviously. One car sped past and just laughed loudly at our good yet soaking intentions.

The miles arrived in time. Past South Parks, Long Wall, Merton College, Radcliffe Camera and down to Oxpens. The route twisted so much that dizziness became a serious threat.

An optimist would say that the rain kept us cool, although some soggy trainers led to unwelcome blisters. Christchurch Meadow was dark and sombre with the added twist of mega-puddles to catch you out.

Sobell House volunteers provided flap jacks, bananas and morale at The Plain, and the return ushered us north through Jericho as we became acquainted with just how long the Woodstock Road can become at 1.30 on a Sunday morning.

At the end in the Esporta gym, a room of Sobell volunteers clapped every walker to make us all feel like a hero for a day.

All the Finders Keepers team completed the walk, no mean feat (pun intended) in the conditions. Some finished with joy, some in agony. Some with energy, most with relief. As we queued up for a bacon-butty we felt the afterglow of a surreal yet hard evening and a job well done.

Now we just need to gently cajole some wonderful people who have promised us sponsorship to support Sobell House’s invaluable work.

A big thank you to the marshals and volunteers for the fantastic organisation and support.

Some thoughts from the team:

Emma Hopkins from our North Oxford: “The walk was fantastic, very well organised and the Marshals were great with their rallying cries as we walked past them dripping wet!! So glad I took part!!”

Anna Spraggs from Abingdon office: “The walk took less time than I was anticipating which was good, shame about the rain but it didn’t dampen our spirits.”

Back to main charity page.

To sponsor our Moonlight Stroll volunteers and give funds to
Sobell House Hospice, please make a donation

Photo diary

The Moonlight Stroll