Sunday 8th September 2019

On Sunday 8th September, the sun shone on over one hundred walkers and runners who got their rambling shoes on to join in the sponsored walk, supported by a huge team of volunteer marshals and ending with a fabulous finish line party!

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The inaugural walk started at Shani's hospital, Great Ormond Street and wound its way past some iconic London locations as well as through beautiful parks and little-known routes before finishing in Shani's home town, 20 miles later, in Hertfordshire.

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The walk was joined by those opting to walk or run a half marathon and eager younger ramblers who joined at the 5 3/4-mile distance which symbolically references the age Shani was when she died following complex open heart surgery in 2017.

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Shani's mum, Juliet Berman  says,”Our target was to raise £70,000 towards a vital piece of research into heart transplant outcomes and the incredible contribution from the walkers and their sponsors has helped to smash our target – now we are ready for our next project".

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Juliet, walked the 20 mile route, while Shani's siblings, Joel and Tammy, ran and walked the 5.75 miler - Shani's dad, Simon, headed up the marshaling team and coordinated logistics.

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Juliet added "It was so exciting to walk through London and see our friendly marshals along the way and chat with the other participants. The time flew – although our legs were rather less happy the next day!”