Naked Heart Walks is a BN outreach initiative aimed at providing opportunities for nude recreation to all. I admit, unashamedly, that it gives us great pleasure when ‘New to Naturism’ members of the public join us with the intention of fundraising for our charity British Heart Foundation, and then find themselves thoroughly inspired by the freedom of walking naked and feeling the fresh air all over their bodies. I often hear ‘’Can I be included in the photo?’’, such is their newly discovered enthusiasm to be walking and socialising completely clothes free.
Of course the fundraising aspect and showing our social conscience is a key objective and we have had much success during the summer months, raising around £20,000 for the charity including £1200 raised by Suntreckers and a donation from the owners of the walk venue at Fonthill Estate of £395, also gift-aided.
One of the first events of the season was the enormously successful NHW at Powderham Castle (pictured), where everyone enjoyed the breathtaking Devon scenery surrounding the venue. We completed another Naked Heart Walk from Lancashire to Cumbria across Morecambe Bay in June with many newbies taking part in the 7.5 mile long walk. There were also successful fundraising walks at Leonardslee and RSPB Rainham Marshes in the LASER region, and the Fonthill Estate event, again in the South West, plus Adlington Gardens and the amazing dual NHW/GBSD event at Bishampton - the latter two belonging to the North West region. It was great to achieve a groundbreaking cross-border coordination when the NW region joined forces with the YEM region to create a joint NHW at Himalayan Gardens near Ripon - thus attracting attendees from both the red and white rose counties. Thanks to everyone who arranged, attended and supported these fantastic events.
What began as a What's App group to search for more venues then developed into a Zoom group, meeting fortnightly to arrange more events and share information on and assistance with Naked Heart Walks and Great British Skinny Dips. Our contact at BHF is also part of it.
It really worked and we (almost) tripled the number of events from 2022. We would like to increase the number of charity walks in 2024, so the NHW Team will be hard at it this winter making countless approaches to possible new venues. We believe that 15 NHW events can be achieved in 2024, so if you have a venue in mind that could be approached then please feel free to suggest by making contact with us.
Best of all, we can already bring you details of some Naked Heart Walks already arranged for next year! Make a note in your diary. Tickets will be on sale soon - keep an eye on the website and ezine for details and for more dates/locations as they are announced!
Naked Heart Walks for 2024
May 19th - Powderham Castle, Devon
June 15th - Leonardslee Gardens, West Sussex
June 22nd - Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, Yorkshire
July 21st - Bishampton, Worcestershire
Ron O’Hare (Team Leader - GBSD/NHW)