Prospect Hospice Therapy Team, from left, Susie Carr, Sue Ramsay, Jo Hyde, Anita Sinclair, Anne Hughes and karyn Turvill

Next month hundreds of women are expected to take to the Wiltshire countryside, walking the highways and byways between Swindon and Marlborough in aid of the Prospect Hospice.

The Wroughton charity is hosting its first-ever nightwalk, with the Starlight Memories sponsored walk. Although other charities have arranged midnight walks across the country in recent years, this is the first time Prospect has organised such an event, and there is still time for participants to sign up to the challenge.

Rebecca Jordan, fundraising manager for the hospice, said: "Starlight Memories is an event which combines three important elements.

"Firstly, it's an opportunity to take part in an event which honours the memory of people who have been important to us, and many of the participants are taking part for that reason.

"Secondly, it's an opportunity to raise vital funds to support the work of Prospect Hospice.

"It's often the case that when people have seen a family member or friend cared for at the hospice they are surprised to learn that only around a quarter of our funding comes from statutory sources, and they express a wish to give something back' for the care we've provided.

"For women across our community, Starlight Memories offers the perfect opportunity to do just that.

"Finally, Starlight Memories is a personal challenge for those taking part," she adds.

"We're very fortunate to be based in some of the best walking country in England, and whether participants start in Swindon or Marlborough, we expect there will be a genuine sense of achievement for most of the women taking part when they arrive at Barbury Castle in the early hours.

"It's 10km - approximately six miles - over the Marlborough Downs, so it will be demanding in places, but well worth it once you get there."

But the hospice's workers are not sitting back to take in the action, and the all-important funds raised, and a team of therapists are among those already signed up.

Anne Hughes, Karen Turvill, Anita Sinclair, Nicola Williams and Anne Macmillan will be taking part in the Starlight Memories walk, in memory of a number of patients they have treated at the hospice over the years.

Anne Macmillan, 55, a physiotherapist at the hospice, said: "We are walking in memory of several people.

"It is really just to celebrate the work that the hospice does and remember all those who are no longer with us."

Anne, of Old Town, said the evening walk from Coate Water in Swindon to Barbury Castle, near Wroughton, was slightly daunting, but the group were determined to make it.

She said: "I've never done it before. We are all very optimistic that we will make it to the finish.

"I don't really know how the idea came about in the first place. We all heard about the walk and just thought it would be a good thing to support."

The team are hoping to raise a significant sum of money for the hospice.

The Starlight Memories walk will take place on the evening of May 10. There is a choice of start times, but the walk is for women only.

For more information or to register for the walk, call the Prospect Hospice on 01793 815142.

9:47am Tuesday 29th April 2008

Print

Email this