St Elizabeth Hospice’s flagship event is back with a burst of colour as the Midnight Walk 2017 is launched in Ipswich town centre.
The hugely popular event, which saw a record-number of people taking part in May earlier this year, will return on 20 May 2017 and back by popular demand is the neon theme!
Hospice staff, volunteers and supporters were dressed in their brightest outfits including neon legwarmers, colourful tutus and funky headbands to launch the Midnight Walk at the brand new start and finish location for the event – the Cornhill in Ipswich town centre!
Also new for the 2017 event are two brand new routes – a six mile and a 12 mile – both of which will pass the hospice on Foxhall Road so all walkers will have the opportunity to hang a personalised tag on the Tree of Remembrance.
Catherine Sheppard, St Elizabeth Hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “We are very excited to launch the Midnight Walk 2017 and we hope it will be as successful as 2016 which raised an incredible £220,000 for the hospice, making a huge difference to our patients and their families.
“Back by popular demand is the neon theme which has proved very popular! It was fantastic to watch Ipswich glow last year and we wanted to bring that back again to the town.”
Amongst those helping launch the event were Chelsea Scarlett, aged 22, and Lewis Anderson, aged 20, both of Ipswich, who will be amongst the thousands of people walking for their local hospice next May.
Miss Scarlett took part for the first time in 2016 in memory of her grandad, Eric Vince, who was cared for by the hospice. She said: “My Grandad was at the hospice for two weeks earlier this year and I told him I was going to do the 2016 Midnight Walk just before he died. After he died, I thought I have to do it now – he is my motivation to take part.
“It was so much fun last year, the neon theme is amazing, we wear wigs and all sorts! Everyone is so supportive. All the way around volunteers are egging you on and the public bib their horns at you!
“The hospice is an amazing charity – everyone knows someone who has been cared for by the hospice and my grandad was so well looked after, I wanted to do something for them, so if you want to do something to give back, then the Midnight Walk is the perfect thing to do. You have to work hard for it, but it’s worth it!”
Lewis Anderson works at Ipswich Building Society and has taken part in the Midnight Walk for the past two years with his colleagues. He said: “It’s such a great atmosphere on the night and everyone encourages everyone else walking alongside them. You meet lots of new people and make new friends, especially at the refreshment stops.
“I haven’t had anyone close to me cared for by the hospice but seeing and knowing the job they do, and all the people you know who have a direct link, makes it special for us – especially at the Tree of Remembrance at the hospice which is always touching.
“The Midnight Walk is so much fun! Why wouldn’t you want to be part of it?”
Registration is £10 with the early bird offer if you sign up before 31 January and all participants are asked to raise as much sponsorship money as possible to help people in their local community living with a progressive illness such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.
Miss Sheppard added: “Whether you want to do something in memory of a loved one cared for by the hospice, want a fun night out with your friends, family or colleagues, or are looking for a fitness challenge, then the Midnight Walk is for you! So sign up now and be part of the biggest neon party Ipswich has ever seen!”
To sign up now click here or call 01473 707043 or email midnightwalk@stelizabethhospice.org.uk