Rowcroft Hospice’s popular fundraising event, The Big Tackle, is back, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Scheduled for Saturday, 15 March 2025, this exciting eight-mile sponsored walk is now open for registrations at an early-bird price of just £14 per ticket for those who sign up at
thebigtackle.org.uk. The ticket includes a free t-shirt! The event aims to raise essential funds to support Rowcroft’s specialist care and assistance for patients and their loved ones across South Devon who are living with life-limiting illnesses.
Starting from Torquay Rugby Club, participants will embark on a scenic walk around Torbay, returning to the club for post-walk celebrations — including a free pint, a pasty, and the screening of the Six Nations Rugby match between England and Wales.
“Rowcroft’s Big Tackle is an incredible fundraising event and a social highlight of the year,” said Rowcroft’s Community Engagement Manager Alexia Croft. “It’s not just about the exciting challenge of the eight-mile walk, or the remarkable camaraderie on the day; for many, it’s also a deeply personal journey to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. Walking in memory of loved ones is a powerful way to feel connected to others who are sharing similar experiences. It’s a chance to reflect, to walk in their honour, and to know that every step you take is helping Rowcroft provide comfort and support to local families. For example, every £27 raised in sponsorship can fund an hour of care from a nurse to a patient at home, offering tailored specialist support to them and their loved ones through the toughest of times.”
Last year’s Big Tackle brought together over 700 participants who raised £90,000 for the hospice – enough to fund over 3,300 hours of expert care during home visits by Rowcroft teams, supporting patients and their loved ones across South Devon.
Father and daughter duo, Jon (39) and Eva Scott (8) from Paignton, took part in The Big Tackle in March 2024 in memory of Jon’s late grandmother, June, who was cared for in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit before she passed away seven years ago. Jon and Eva say they can’t recommend the event highly enough.
“The Rowcroft team did such an amazing job for my nan,” said Jon. “They were so caring and they made sure she was comfortable and peaceful to the end. She was able to look out on the beautiful gardens, which she loved.
“As a charity, Rowcroft means so much to me; it’s one of the charities that I really love to support, especially because it’s local. It was great to see the amazing community spirit of so many people joining The Big Tackle and raising money for the hospice; even if they only raised a small amount, it all adds up and makes a big difference.”
With many participants taking part in memory of a loved one, The Big Tackle offers a unique chance for people to come together to ‘walk and talk’ and remember loved ones lost. The event reinforces that it is good to talk and highlights the importance of seeking support if you need it. This is especially relevant to 80% of men who, according to research by Marie Curie, feel alone in their grief.
Sponsored by WBW Solicitors, Torbay Clearance Services, and Bays Brewery, the event is open to all over the age of eight. Tickets are priced at £14 per adult and £8 per child, but prices will increase after 30 November 2024, so sign up now at
www.thebigtackle.org.uk to secure a bargain deal and claim your free t-shirt.
Your entry fee helps Rowcroft to cover the costs of putting on the event, but it’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. By raising or donating a minimum of £20, you’ll be helping to fund vital end-of-life care for patients at Rowcroft Hospice. Every pound you raise goes to support the hospice in caring for 2,500 patients and their loved ones annually across South Devon.
As a charity, the hospice is facing increasing financial pressures due to many factors including rising costs, a national drop in charitable giving, low and stagnating government funding, and a growing demand for end-of-life care. These challenges underscore the critical need for community support and funding to ensure the continuation of important services.
