Mountbatten Isle of Wight Schools Walk the Wight has been part of Phoebe's world for the past three years, but 2026 will be the last time she takes on the route before moving on to Walk the Wight itself!

The Year Six student is preparing for her move to high school and she is already used to challenges.

Sporty and energetic, Phoebe's days are filled with football, scouting, archery and RC car racing — but Schools Walk the Wight has become something special.

The first time she took part in the four-mile route over Tennyson Down, everything was new. The second time, she knew exactly what was coming — friends, fun, an energetic warm-up and fabulous views. This year, Phoebe will be walking once again with her mum, Stacey and the pair will be joined by a close family friend, allowing them to take on the miles together as a team.

“My top tips are to wear cool clothes, bring something to drink, and make sure you’re wearing proper shoes.”

What keeps Phoebe coming back isn’t just the challenge, but the shared experience.

“I like doing Schools Walk the Wight because of the amount of other people doing it,” Phoebe says. “We’re all doing it for a good cause.”

There is, however, one part that still brings a sense of dead: The hill.

Schools Walk the Wight runs between Freshwater Bay and Alum Bay, with the small matter of the spectacular Tennyson Down, in between.

“From far away, it looks easy,” she explains, “but the closer you get to it, the harder it looks.”

The first year involved plenty of breaks. By the second, confidence had grown, and Phoebe completed the walk in around three hours with hardly any stops at all. The hill alone takes around 15 to 20 minutes; something she is keen to warn first-timers about.

Photo below: Stacey (left) with Phoebe.

Behind Phoebe’s walk is deeply personal inspiration. Her grandma, Ann, had strong links to the Island. The care delivered to her when she became ill made a lasting impression on Phoebe.

“When I was seven, I helped with her medication, helped her eat, helped her get dressed,” Phoebe says. “She made me want to help other people and become a nurse myself.”

For Phoebe's mum, Stacey, supporting Mountbatten Isle of Wight is something the whole family feels strongly about.

“My mum was the sixth member of our family to die of cancer, so it’s obviously really close to us,” she says. “Every penny helps, no matter how little.”

---

How to take part in the Mountbatten Isle of Wight Schools Walk 2026

CLICK HERE to sign up to the Schools Walk 2026

---

Over the years, Phoebe’s efforts have raised more than £200 for Mountbatten Isle of Wight, helping ensure care can continue for Island families.

For 2027, Phoebe has her sights set on the eight-mile Walk the Wight flat walk, between Sandown and Shide.

“The atmosphere is amazing,” she says. “You keep going because everyone is there for the same reason."

At Mountbatten Isle of Wight, it’s supporters like Phoebe, walking, fundraising, and returning year after year, who help make compassionate care possible.