A BASINGSTOKE charity will once again be running its popular annual fundraising walk later this year.
St. Michael’s Hospice’s annual ‘Moonlight Walk’ returns on September 24 starting in Festival Place at 9pm.
This year is the Hospice’s 30th Anniversary and to celebrate this the theme will relate back to 1992, the year the Hospice was founded, with a 90s theme.
Walkers will be encouraged to dress up in their best 90s costumes for the occasion.
Lorraine Pink, director of income generation, said: “In the last few years our supporters have had lots of fun following our themes, going out in everything from 80’s neon, Batman and Robin driving Del Boy and Rodney’s car, to teams of matching onesies.
"It is such a great night, and we can’t wait to see the outfits this year.”
The walk will be in aid of raising essential income for St Michael’s Hospice, as well as having fun and celebrating the hard work the Hospice have put in over the last thirty years. As a local charity, around 84 per cent of its funds comes from the donations and support of the local community.
This year, there is a brand-new 10K route leaving from Festival Place and will follow a route around Basingstoke and finish back at the starting point where walkers will collect a medal for their efforts.
Entry is £20 for adults, £15 for under 18s and will be able to go for free. All the money raised will be donated to the Hospice. A virtual entry is also available for £10 for those who are unable to make the event on the night. Everyone that takes part will also be entered into a prize draw.
Phillipa Aslet, director of nursing, added: “We’re now in our 30th year of providing care for the people of North Hampshire and in that time, the world has changed so much. These days, we’re seeing more patients with increasingly complex symptoms.
“It is vital that we are there to support them.”
Due to the unforeseen circumstances of the pandemic, the number of walkers taking part last year was lower. However, in the past the event has been able to raise over £32,000. This is enough to cover seven months of pain relief medication for patients at the Hospice. This year, the Hospice wishes to achieve similar results and hoping the local community will come and show their support.
St. Michael’s Hospice provides high quality palliative care throughout North Hampshire for patients affected by life-limiting illnesses. They rely on the generosity of the local community to sustain their services.
To sign up to the Moonlight Walk, visit the website stmichaelshospice.org.uk or call 01256 848848.
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