Walking, Talking, Bonding: The Martlets Midnight Walk is a Great Business Opportunity

Businesses throughout Brighton and Hove are being encouraged to get a team of female employees together to take up the challenge of the Martlets Midnight Walk on Friday 15th June 2012. Unlike many other team building events, although the walk is a challenge, you do not need to be super fit, so it really is something anyone can do. 

Talking goes hand in hand with walking so imagine how much better colleagues will know each other after walking 13 miles together (there is a 6 mile option this year too). Supporting each other to keep walking through the early hours is a great way to generate team spirit and develop stronger bonds between colleagues.  

The call has already been taken up by Brighton and Hove Albion Women’s Football Team, M&S Hollingbury and Juice FM.  Brighton and Hove has a thriving business community and getting teams together for the Midnight Walk it is a fun and accessible way for local businesses to support this vital local charity.  This year the walk’s target is to raise £120,000 which will go directly to fund Patient Support Services.  Only 29% of the Hospice’s income comes from the NHS so fundraising is crucial. 

Talking about the event Sarah Springford, Director Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce said: “We are delighted to promote the Midnight Walk for our Chamber member the Martlets Hospice. They do fantastic work and we know how hard it is to raise money in these challenging times. The walk is a fantastic idea because it gives us all the chance to help them raise money and we can make some new contacts.”

Brighton and Hove also has a booming community of freelancers, many of whom are women.  There are some excellent networking groups aimed directly at them to provide support, career and business development and contacts.  Commenting on the walk, Felice Ayling of SheSays Brighton Networking Group said: “A lot of women turn to freelancing in order to find the kind of opportunities that afford success without compromising their work/life balance. SheSays Brighton provides a forum for successful and inspiring women to come together, share experiences and learn from each other in an informal setting. And what better way to meet likeminded women than walking through the night together, sharing ideas and swapping stories. SheSays Brighton will be there ready to help show what we women can achieve when we come together.”

There are also lots of small businesses and female entrepreneurs in the city. The Mumpreneurs Networking Club is a fast growing dynamic networking group aimed at supporting Sussex business mums.  Speaking about the Midnight Walk Director Nicky Chisholm said: “The Midnight Walk is a great way for small business with products or services that are aimed at women to get T-shirts printed and make connections and get their message in front of 1,000 women. Our strap line is never underestimate the power of a good gossip, and we will be gossiping in pink all the way round!”

And it isn’t just businesses getting teams together to do the walk. Teams of dedicated sports women are joining in too. The latest to sign up are the Brighton Rockers Roller Derby team. A feisty band of fearless female skaters the Midnight Walk holds no fear for them, except perhaps that walking will feel a bit slow compared to the four wheels they are used to travelling on.

In a change from previous years, this year participants can choose whether to do a 6 mile or a 13 mile walk.  Both walks start at midnight from Brighton Racecourse and snake through the streets of Brighton & Hove. Marshals will be on hand around the course to ensure no one gets lost and the walk ends with a hearty breakfast. 

All walkers will be asked to raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship and anyone who achieves over £120 in sponsorship will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of shopping vouchers.

To enter go to www.themartletshospice.co.uk, pick up a form at any Martlets shop or call the Fundraising Department on 01273 747455.

For more information or images contact Ruth Cobb – ruth.cobb@themartlets.co.uk or call 07957 254 582

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk