Group to walk to Stratford theatre for Shakespeare-themed fundraiser

A charity event which will see a group walk from a Worcester hospice to a theatre in Stratford Upon Avon is set to take place later this month.

'Shakespeare in Boots' is the brainchild of former actor and now casting agent Tarquin Shaw-Young, and will see Team Shakespeare members walk from St Richard's Hospice in Worcester to the RSC memorial theatre in Stratford Upon Avon on June 29.

The 26-plus mile route, split into five acts, like a Shakespeare play, has been designed by Mr Shaw-Young's friend and co-walker Ian Mootz.

The group of walkers, known as Team Shakespeare (Image: Tarquin Shaw-Young)

The team will recite Shakespeare's works as they follow the route which has been designed to incorporate Old England routes and pathways.

Mr Shaw-Young said: "Having walked it on training days in sections it is a really special route with some amazing views, scenery and flora and fauna of middle England."

The walk coincides with the 400th anniversary of the first publication of Shakespeare's Folio of plays.

Numerous participants in Team Shakespeare are experienced hikers who previously walked with Mr Shaw-Young's earlier group, Team Zulu.

The group of walkers, known as Team Shakespeare (Image: Tarquin Shaw-Young)

The event will culminate in the team making a grand entrance into Stratford in historical costume.

St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, aiming to improve their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days.

It also support their loved ones, and helps more than 3,400 people in Worcestershire each year.

Mr Shaw-Young's previous group, Team Zulu, raised money for the hospice with a number of walks.

One of these saw them walk the Worcestershire Way while dressed as soldiers from the classic film Zulu.

Across all of their fundraising events, the group has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the hospice and has set a target of £1,500 for their current challenge.

The team has set up a Just Giving page to raise money.

The charity is independent and relies mainly on donations and gifts in Wills.

Less than a quarter of its income comes from NHS funding.

It costs £9.72m to run the hospice, including patient care and all the necessary support services.