Walkers will take to the Five Valleys this Sunday for Meningitis Now’s flagship sponsored walk, with participants able to choose between a short 1.5-mile route and the full 21-mile challenge.

The Five Valleys Walk is now in its 39th year and has become a Stroud institution. The event combines a day of walking with entertainment and local food, while raising support for Meningitis Now’s work to prevent deaths from meningitis and help people affected by the disease.

Routes and checkpoints

Participants can decide how much of the route they want to complete using eight checkpoints. The available distance starts at 1.5 miles and extends to the full 21-mile route around the Five Valleys.

Organisers say walkers will be able to catch a free bus back to their starting point, whatever distance they have walked. That arrangement means people do not have to complete the full route or organise separate transport from the end of their chosen section.

Free Stagecoach buses

Stagecoach is providing free shuttle buses for participants throughout Sunday afternoon. The services will run every hour from 11am to 5pm, linking Stroud with key locations along the walk.

  • Nailsworth
  • Minchinhampton
  • Slad
  • Brimscombe
  • Lypiatt
  • Standish Woods
  • Pitchcombe

The buses are intended to help walkers travel between different parts of the route without relying on their cars. They will also make it easier for participants to reach or leave checkpoints during the day.

The transport plans coincide with Catch the Bus Month, which highlights the use of buses for local events and days out as well as everyday journeys.

There will also be a piece of transport nostalgia during the event, with a Stagecoach heritage bus operating the Cricket Club Shuttle throughout the day.

Meningitis Now support

Meningitis Now is working towards a future in which no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis. The charity also provides free services for individuals and families after meningitis.

Symptoms can include a severe headache, a dislike of bright lights, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. The disease can affect people of any age, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

People affected by meningitis can contact the Meningitis Now Helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or email [email protected].