Charity walk marshals and volunteers

Walkers remember two things about the crew: whether someone smiled at them at the hard part, and whether anyone seemed to be in charge. Both come down to recruiting enough people and telling them clearly what to do.

The roles

Role	How many	What they do
Event control	1	Stays at a fixed point, takes all calls, makes decisions
Lead walker	1	Walks at the front, knows the route, sets the pace
Back marker	1 or 2	Walks behind the last walker, confirms the route is clear
Route marshals	One per junction, crossing or hazard	Direct, encourage, report
Registration	1 per 50 walkers	Sign in, hand out lights and numbers
Start and finish	2 to 4	Manage waves, count out and in
First aid	As advised by your provider	Staffed, signed, lit base
Refreshments	2 or more	Water and hot drinks at the finish
Photographer	1	Lights-on point, then the finish
Floaters	2	Fill gaps, carry spares, relieve marshals

Where to find volunteers

• People connected to the cause who cannot or do not want to walk.
• Local clubs: running, cycling, walking, scouts and guides leaders, service clubs.
• Workplaces that give staff volunteering time.
• Students who need volunteering hours.
• Partners and parents of walkers. Ask on the sign-up form: “Could someone you know marshal?”

Recruit a fifth more than you need. Some will drop out in the final week.

Placing marshals

Number every position on the map in walking order. Put your most experienced people at road crossings and at the furthest point from the start. Put your most cheerful people at the place where walkers will be tired. Nobody stands alone in an isolated spot after dark; pair them.

The briefing

Send it in writing a week before and repeat it in person on the night. Cover:

1. Your position: its number, where it is and how to get there.
2. Your job: which way walkers go, and what the hazard is.
3. Who to call: the event control number, saved in your phone before you leave.
4. What to report: an injury, a lost child, a walker going the wrong way, anything blocking the route.
5. How to describe where you are: “position six”, not “by the big tree”.
6. When you can leave: only after the back marker has passed and told you so.
7. What not to do: do not leave your post to help elsewhere, do not move an injured person, do not direct traffic on a public road unless you are trained and authorised to.

The kit

Each marshal needs a high-visibility vest, a torch, a charged phone, the map with the control number, warm clothes and a drink. Give them a light to wear as well; they are part of the show.

Look after them

Feed them before the walk. Send someone round with a hot drink during it. Thank them by name at the finish and in the message that goes out the next morning. A volunteer who was looked after will marshal again next year, and that is the cheapest recruitment there is.

See also the night walk safety checklist.