Macmillan’s Big Walk

On Saturday 8 September, Clumber Park will be the setting for the first Macmillan’s Big Walk. Alex Talcer, National Events Programme Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, tells us more.

Hi. I’ve been at Macmillan Cancer Support for two years and work on our national walking programme, Miles for Macmillan.

On the 8 September we launch our first flagship walking event, Macmillan’s Big Walk, at Clumber Park. It’ll be a great day out for all of the family and in a picturesque setting. With both a 2 mile and 10 mile walk, there’s a route for everyone. We’re expecting hundreds of people on the day to walk together to support people affected by cancer.

Some of the lovely Miles for Macmillan supporters at
the finish line of Macmillan's London Walk earlier this year.

I love walking. We have two dogs at home so I’m lucky that I can walk with them everyday. It’s also something that I can do with everyone, whether it’s a long walk exploring new places with friends or a short trip round the village with my mum.

It was also something I could do with one of my best friends whilst she was undergoing treatment for cancer. For her being able to get out helped her have good days. Some of my favourite pictures of her are on the beach in Cornwall just enjoying the fresh air even if it meant she had to sit down to rest every now and again. I don’t think I ever realised just how important even just a short walk to the shops could be for someone.

Walk for someone you love and support people 

with cancer by signing up to the Big Walk

We have a great team at Macmillan that work across the UK on Miles for Macmillan. Between us we organise over 55 walks up and down the country. Together with our partner Boots UK, we’re inviting people to enjoy the great outdoors, get active and raise money to help improve the lives of people in their community living with cancer.

From L - R: Alex with Beth and Ruth from the Macmillan team

There’s a walk for everyone and lots of our walks feature multiple routes so that everyone can take part. So whether its 1 mile or 26 miles, there is a challenge for everyone. Or we can help people organise their own route.

So sign up today for Macmillan’s Big Walk, it couldn’t be easier to achieve Miles for Macmillan. Visit macmillan.org.uk/bigwalk or call 0300 1000 200.

Life as a full time volunteer

When looking to choose a placement for my current degree in Events Management, I was immediately drawn to a position with the National Trust’s Clumber Park; it presented itself as being both a great opportunity and very exciting as I would be involved in a huge variety of events on offer to a wide spectrum of the public. It was for these reasons, and many more, that finally led to me making the choice to volunteer with them and I have now been working at Clumber Park for a year.

Me! On Father Christmas's sleigh

Whilst working here, I have been given the space to create my own events, such as a Halloween Pumpkin Trail, Pancake Fun Day, Easter Celebrations and much much more. On top of this, I have also had the chance to meet, and work with, a number of external companies, including Race for Life, Trailblazer and Illyria, who all host events here at Clumber Park. This gave me the chance to expand my skills in managing events and communication, and also allowed me to help with Traffic Management Plans, Event Plans, Staff/Volunteer rotas and Risk Assessments. 

Enjoying our Easter Egg trails

Completing and finding out about writing and carrying out a Risk Assessment has been a huge learning curve for me. Each detail constantly needs to be checked and staff and visitors need to be made aware of any risks or dangers that could occur from the events. This is particularly important when I help set up the events, i.e. putting up marquees and gazebos. I have to make sure that the area we will place the structures has been checked, that the staff and volunteers who help are aware of the risks and that they are given clear information on how to erect the structure safely.

Not only have I had the chance to plan, organise and execute these events, I’ve also been given the opportunity to market them, which includes creating posters, dealing with printing companies, creating poster and leaflet schedules and making sure our Admissions and Admin team who deal with the public directly know what information needs to go out to the visitors.

One particularly exciting part of my work here is that I am responsible for wedding enquiries that the organisation receives. It is then my job to process the enquiry, show the couple around our various reception and ceremony sites, create a contract, collect the deposit and final payment, set up the area and also be there on the night to make sure the evening runs smoothly. This is hugely rewarding because you are able to take part in a very special day in the couple’s lives.

This is all just a tiny fraction of the work I do at Clumber Park, and while it is a lot of hard work, it is an extremely fun and rewarding experience. I have gained a great deal of knowledge that I will be able to carry on into my final year of University and in any job I go into. 

My view of the Pleasure Ground and Lake

It also helps that all of this hard work is accompanied by an incredibly beautiful setting. I am able to wake up every day with a breath-taking view to look out on, which makes the whole experience truly worthwhile!

Miriam Kirby

Events Assistant