THE local hospice charity for Exeter, Mid and East Devon has announced a tasty new addition for its popular fundraising event in March.
Men’s Walk, which returns to Double Locks on Saturday, March 18, is renowned for three perks that reward walkers on their return to the pub: a pint, a pasty and the Six Nations rugby.
Last year, Men’s Walk raised a whopping £100,000 for local people living with terminal illnesses.
As a "thank you" to the Men’s Walkers for their incredible support, the hospice has joined forces with Chunk of Devon and Exeter Brewery to create a bespoke Men’s Walk steak and ale pasty for 2023, using Exeter Brewery’s award-winning Avocet ale.
To ensure the pasty hit the mark, Hospiscare enlisted the help of Steve "Pasty Man" Whitfield to conduct a taste test – and it received a resounding thumbs up!
Steve earned the nickname "Pasty Man" after an iconic shot of him munching on the popular snack went viral on social media after Men’s Walk 2020.
Steve recreated the photo to lift lockdown spirits during the "virtual" Men’s Walk in 2021 and then again at Men’s Walk 2022 – and a meme was born!
Steve explains: “My father-in-law passed away while under the care of Hospiscare in 2016. I was so impressed by the care that he received and taking part in Men’s Walk gives me a chance to do something in return.
“It was an honour to taste test the Men’s Walk pasty. Biting through the shortcrust pastry into the delicious steak and ale filling will be the perfect reward after a seven-mile walk!
"I highly recommend getting involved in Men’s Walk; you’ll be helping an amazing cause as well as getting your hands on the bespoke pasty. Once bitten, never forgotten!”
Exeter Brewery and Chunk of Devon are long-standing Men’s Walk supporters, providing the beers and pasties that participants love year after year, at no cost to the hospice charity. Along with stalwart Men’s Walk sponsor Wilkinson Grant and Co and event venue the Double Locks, these local businesses are helping to ensure the event raises as much as possible for local people living with terminal illnesses.
The hospice cares for over 2,500 patients and their families every year and relies on events like Men’s Walk to fund its specialist end-of-life care.
To sign up to Men’s Walk and help make a vital difference to local end-of-life care, visit: www.hospiscare.co.uk/menswalk.
Participants who sign up by midnight on Wednesday, March 1, will have the chance to win more than £500 worth of exciting prizes, including a £400 tailoring voucher courtesy of Sharif Tailoring and Exeter Chiefs tickets courtesy of Packexe.