Strip down in Surrey for heart charity naked walk Category: Fundraising

People across Surrey and the South East are being urged to bare it all by signing up for a naked night walk to help raise money for our life saving research.

Dare to bare all

The BHF Naked Heart Walk will grace Painshill Park in Cobham on Saturday 20th June 2020, and will raise vital cash towards research into heart and circulatory diseases.

Hannah Miller, our Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re urging people to be fearless in baring it all to help beat heartbreak forever. Whether it’s in memory of a loved one or in support of someone facing heart disease – the money you raise will save and improve lives.

“In Surrey alone, there are 117,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases, with over 2,500 people losing their lives to these conditions each year.

“Every step you take will help bring us closer to the day when families aren’t torn apart by conditions like stroke, vascular dementia and coronary heart disease.”

What you need to know

The inaugural Naked Heart Walk will take place in the beautiful 18th Century landscape gardens of Painshill Park. Participants will have the choice of taking on a 2km or 5km walk through winding paths around the lake and woodland, passing follies including the ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent.

The event is for adults over 18 years old, and people of all shapes and sizes. Changing facilities will be available on site and those who complete the walk will even receive a medal.

Adult spectators accompanying participants are also welcome but must purchase a spectator ticket in advance. There will also be food and drinks available after the walk, including a BBQ.

The entry fee costs £20 and all walkers will need to pledge to raise £100 for the BHF. Once registered, participants will receive a complete fundraising pack and all the support they need to achieve their fundraising goal.

How did this come about?

The organiser behind the novel event is 64 year old Philip Baker, from Rye in East Sussex, who decided to combine his passion for naturism and heart research.

Philip said: “Walkers can come and enjoy being completely naked in nature this summer solstice – and raise funds for such a great cause. Without the BHF, I would not be alive today.”

Philip is establishing a new fundraising group to organise events to generate funds, increase awareness and recruit more volunteers.

Diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm) in 1987, Philip has undergone three heart procedures. He’s one of more than 1.3 million people in the UK living with the condition – and they are five times more likely to have a stroke than people without atrial fibrillation.

Since making a full recovery from the treatments he received, Philip wanted to give something back and began volunteering in 2011 with the BHF. In his role as a volunteer in-memoriam secretary, he has processed over £100,000 from people leaving a gift in memory of a loved one passing.

Approaching retirement, he took on the role of Fundraising Group Leader of the newly formed East Sussex Coastal BHF Fundraising Group. Now with the help of friends, he set upon his new mission to raise funds for the BHF through his love of naturism.

“I have been a lifelong naturist quietly enjoying my garden in the nude and taking the odd Mediterranean holiday ‘au naturelle’,” added Philip.

“I joined the Eastbourne Naturist Swimming Club and discovered the social side of naturism, which has ‘cured’ me of a lifetime of shyness.

“My heart condition caused me to sweat a great deal and get very hot upon any normal exertion, such as travelling to any venue. When I get there all I want to do is rest and cool down and strip off my damp and consequently uncomfortable clothing.”

Sign up for naked heart walk