Around 280 people stepped out for a reflective Walk of Thoughts around Dunwich Heath on Sunday, March 6, raising more than £10,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice.
The annual sponsored walk was, for the first time, preceded by a short open air remembrance service at 11am led by Canon Sylvia Chapman, a St Elizabeth Hospice chaplaincy volunteer.
The fundraiser was open to anyone, not just those touched by Hospice care, and attracted a record number of walkers, including many groups of family and friends who were remembering a loved one.
Among those completing the 5.5 mile circular route were around 18 members of the Bunting family, who walked in memory of 26-year-old Jonathan Bunting, of Felixstowe, who was cared for by the Hospice before he died last year.
Event organiser Andrea Chupacova, of St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “This was our fifth Walk of Thoughts but our first in Dunwich and the location proved popular because we had 279 people turn up which is a record number of participants.
We are delighted that they helped raised £10,000 and this will make a real difference in helping us to continue to provide services free of charge to patients and their families in Suffolk.
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the event from the walkers, those who sponsored them and to our volunteers who helped on the day.”
Last year’s Walk of Thoughts from Framlingham Castle attracted about 150 walkers.