St Elizabeth Hospice’s flagship event will return in 2018 and a new venue will mean that even more people can take part.
Last year, St Elizabeth Hospice’s Midnight Walk sold out weeks before the event. This time, organisers have changed the venue so that those that missed out last time can join in the fun and support the charity which helps local people living with a terminal illness.
The Midnight Walk will take place on Saturday 12 May 2018 and this year will have a neon and sparkle theme.
Rebecca Jedrzejewski, events and challenges fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Last year’s Midnight Walk was phenomenal. 2,500 people took part and over £200,000 was raised for the hospice; enough to cover the cost of one weeks’ care across the hospice and in the local community.
“We have many people who have taken part in multiple Midnight Walks and we always like to offer our supporters variety. Because of this, and the need to increase capacity, in 2018 the event will begin and end at Trinity Park, a well-known and popular venue in the town but, crucially, around three miles from the hospice, allowing us to include the charity as a stop off along the walk, giving supporters the opportunity to remember loved ones we’ve helped to care for.
“The new neon and sparkle theme will mean that we retain the popular neon theme that people have come to know and love about the event but, by adding the sparkle, we have something else fun to play with when it comes to outfits and face paint.”
A new venue also brings with it two new routes for walkers to choose from; either six miles or ten miles. Both route include a visit to the hospice on Foxhall Road to allow supporters the opportunity for quiet reflection and to hand a message on the memory tree.
Further details about plans for the night, including entertainment, will be revealed over the coming months.
Registration for the Midnight Walk 2018 is now open and tickets are priced at £10 for those who sign up before 31 January 2018. Tickets will then be priced at £15 each. To purchase your ticket, visit stelizabethhospice.org.uk/midnightwalk
The St Elizabeth Hospice Midnight Walk 2018 is proudly supported by the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times, Trinity Park, FIS Windows Ltd, Aurora, DD AutoServe Ltd, Donnelly Watson, Haart, Rococco, Tennial Personnel Ltd and MorVend.
Supporter study
Rex Howes, 71, from Felixstowe will be taking part in the Midnight Walk with his granddaughter Amber Buckle, 17. Despite having undergone two hip replacements, he’s determined to complete the six mile walk in memory of his friend Malcolm Osborne who he’d met through work and struck up a strong friendship with lasting 30 years.
“I completed the Midnight Walk in 2013 and again in 2014 with my good friend Malcolm. He was a fit man and always complained that I wasn’t quick enough for him!” Rex remembers.
“The first time we did the walk was only months after Malcolm’s wife lost her battle with cancer. Before her death, Malcolm had dedicated himself to looking after her at home and received help from St Elizabeth hospice’s community team. She also used to visit the hospice’s day services team where she spent time socialising with friends she’d made there.”
The summer after his wife passed away, Malcolm began volunteering each Friday at the hospice as a ward assistant. He was there on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2013 and serviced the patients their festive food.
Rex continued: “In June this year, Malcolm was taken ill and wanted to spend the time he had left in St Elizabeth Hospice where he knew he would be well cared for. He got his wish.”
This year Rex will take on the challenge of the Midnight Walk again in memory of his friends. He’s currently in training and can often be seen walking along Felixstowe seafront.