There are just days left to sign up for St Elizabeth Hospice’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the Midnight Walk or Run 2013 and a group of 17 men and women walking in-memory of a loved one are appealing for more people to get involved.
The group, named Tony’s Turbo Walkers, have signed up in-memory of beloved husband and father, Anthony Blackwell, 56, (known as Tony) who died just last month after being cared for by the Hospice.
Tony’s Turbo Walkers is made up of 12 women and five men, including Mr Blackwell’s wife, children and other relatives and they will all be walking the eight mile route around Ipswich town centre on Saturday 18th May.
Shirley Blackwell, 47, of Ipswich, who was married to Tony for 26 years, is appealing for more people to sign up for the Hospice’s Midnight Walk to help raise money for the charity which provides local hospice care to local people.
She said: “Tony was diagnosed with Peritoneal Cancer in January 2013 and it was only when we came into the Hospice that he received any care. When he was in the Hospice, they let me stay with him the whole 13 days he was there, and when he came home, the Hospice at Home team were absolutely fantastic.
“The Hospice did us proud by Tony and now we’re taking part in the Midnight Walk to raise money for this amazing charity.”
Diane Riley, of Ipswich, Tony’s sister-in-law, said: “The Hospice was very supportive, always on hand when you needed them, nothing was too big or small and the hospitality was amazing. I think every family should take part in the Midnight Walk because nearly everybody is touched by the Hospice. I would recommend them to everybody.”
Many people choose to take part in the Midnight Walk in-memory of a loved one and the eight mile route and poignantly passes the Hospice on Foxhall Road where family and friends can place a tag with a personal message dedicated to their loved one on the tree of remembrance.
This year the Midnight Walk, which starts and finishes and Ipswich Town Football Club, has a carnival theme and will include a fun and energetic, dance and aerobic style warm-up led by Zumba and Bokwa instructor, Julie Foster.
Mrs Foster, who teaches classes across Suffolk, is sponsoring the Midnight Walk warm-up this year.
St Elizabeth Hospice provides its services free of charge to the local community. Its services costs £8.7m a year to run and the Hospice relies on fundraising events such as the Midnight Walk to continue to improve life for people living with a progressive illness and provide support for their families.
Registration for the Midnight Walk closes in five days on Wednesday 15th May at 5pm, to register now visit www.midnightwalkipswich.co.uk
If you’re not taking part in the Midnight Walk but want to support the event and make a difference to St Elizabeth Hospice, you can donate by texting MNWK13 £5 to 70070.