On Saturday 10th May, ahead of Fulham FC’s Premier League fixture against Everton, the Fulham Family came together in a powerful display of community spirit, raising more than £10,000 for Fulham FC Foundation’s DisAbility programmes during the annual Fulham Family Walk.
A total of 96 participants, including participants, their families, supporters, and friends, took on the challenge, walking up to 12 miles along a picturesque riverside route, starting and finishing at Craven Cottage.
The event featured three staggered start times, with each lap covering a 4-mile loop from Craven Cottage to Hammersmith Bridge, along the river past the Riverside Stand, and down to Putney Bridge. The first group of walkers set off bright and early at 7:30am, with others joining in later, building towards the final celebratory lap at 10:30am.
The final lap, known as Billy’s Trail, added a fun twist; a four-mile route with 12 interactive clues, including appearances from familiar Fulham FC faces. Each clue provided a letter that participants had to unscramble to reveal a hidden word or phrase. Billy the Badger led the way, keeping spirits high despite the rising temperatures.
You can donate to Billy the Badger here
To help fuel the journey, walkers were treated to refreshments at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith and Loo Loos Café in Putney. The walk concluded with a triumphant return through Bishop’s Park, before participants were greeted with finisher’s medals in front of the Johnny Haynes Statue. After a well-earned lunch provided by Sodexo, the group rounded off the experience by being recognised pitch side inside Craven Cottage with applause from supporters ahead of kick-off.
Katy Shephard, DisAbility Manager at Fulham FC Foundation, shared her pride in the event:
“The Fulham Family Walk was a true celebration of what it means to be part of the Fulham Family. We’ve raised more this year than ever before, with donations still coming in. The accessible route meant everyone could take part, from wheelchair users to frame users, all walking proudly alongside others, not as spectators, but as full members of the Fulham Family. We witnessed unforgettable personal milestones too, some participants walked further than ever before using a frame, and others walked unaided for the very first time.”
One of our Fulham Family Walkers shared some words on their experience after the walk: “We all really enjoyed today, it was so well organised and great fun! We met so many lovely people and really enjoyed the sense of community.”
With funds still being collected, this year’s walk has already marked a record-breaking fundraising total, helping to support and grow the Foundation’s DisAbility programmes, which continue to empower children and adults across the community through sport, support, and shared experiences.
You can donate to Billy the Badger here
Find out more about our DisAbility programmes here
