Boundary Walk organisers call for community to make 2025 'record-breaking year'

The organisers of the annual Boundary Walk are calling for the community to help make 2025 a ‘record-breaking year’ by participating and fundraising.

The much-loved event, run by Rotary in Maidenhead, will return for another year on Sunday, October 5.

Participants will have the chance to raise funds for their chosen charities and community groups, while also supporting Thames Hospice and Age UK Berkshire – two causes chosen by Rotary.

The Boundary Walk celebrates the centuries-old tradition of ‘beating the bounds’, which dates back to when the original Borough of Maidenhead was created in 1582.

The last official ‘beating of the bounds’ was in 1973, before it was reinvented by Rotary in 1982 as the Boundary Walk.

The walk offers two scenic routes, one being the traditional 13-mile path tracing the old Maidenhead Borough boundary, and the other, a shorter, family-friendly 2.5-mile route.

The longer route will take walkers through the scenic countryside around Maidenhead, while the shorter route will see participants take a picturesque stroll around Boulters Lock Island and cross the river to the Taplow side, before heading back.

Both routes will start and finish at Boulters Lock, and will be fully signposted and supported by volunteers, allowing all ages and abilities to get involved.

Any walkers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Advance registration for the event closes on Wednesday, October 3, but walkers can still turn up on the day and register.

Organisers are aiming for a record year this year, in terms of both participation and fundraising.

Whether participants are walking for a charity, school or community group, 100 per cent of the sponsorship they raise will go directly to their chosen cause.

Last year, walkers raised more than £22,800 in sponsorships for their chosen causes and the event itself raised an additional £3,100 for charity Alzheimers Dementia Support (ADS).

Organisers are hoping fundraising totals will be even higher this year.

Everybody who takes part will be awarded a certificate.

There is a registration fee to participate, which covers the cost of running the event.

Eddie Piekut, one of the event organisers, said: “The Boundary Walk is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy the beautiful countryside around Maidenhead, and raise much-needed funds for good causes.

“It’s open to everyone – individuals, groups, or families – and we’d love to see this year be the biggest and best yet.”

Entry fees for the traditional route (longer route) cost £6 for adults and £1 for children.

The family route (shorter route) costs £3 for adults and £1 for children.

For group registration it is £30 for the traditional route and £10 for the family route.

For more information, visit: www.boundarywalk.org.uk