More than 80 walkers strode out on a challenge to walk the whole of the Worcestershire way in a day to support hospice care across the county (on Friday 19th June)
The teams and individual walkers, along with some runners, took on the challenging 31 mile dawn ‘til dusk trek in aid of St Richard’s Hospice.
This year’s challenge marked the 10th anniversary of this popular walking event and fortunately the sun shone for the day.
The walkers began at 6am in Bewdley and trekked across wonderful Worcestershire countryside before reaching the first refreshment stop at Abberley Hall school. There, the Abberley Clockwatchers WI had laid on a nourishing array of cakes for the hungry walkers. Next stop was lunch courtesy of The Talbot at Knightwick the before a tough finish on the slopes of the Malvern Hills. The first speedy walkers reached the finish at 2.30pm.
Alison Parkes, Senior Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said; “It was a great event with team spirit and camaraderie amongst the walkers taking part. It’s a tough challenge but we have many walkers come back year after year to put themselves to the test and raise funds to help our patient care. We are hopeful that this year walkers will have raised in the region of £18,000 towards our care which is a fantastic amount.”
She added; “Many people took on this challenge in memory of someone special, as a way of saying thank you for the hospice care they received. But often at the end of the walk they realise that they have achieved something fantastic for themselves too.”
The money raised by walkers will help St Richard’s Hospice continue to care for patients at the end of their lives, and support their families.
The event is kindly sponsored by Carisson Properties Ltd. Worcestershire County council’s countryside access team kindly provided support vehicle assistance.
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,600 patients and family members in Worcestershire with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
The hospice works to help people make the best of their lives despite the effects of their illness. The care provided is tailored to the individual needs of each patient and cares for the whole person; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it to continue its work.
22nd June 2015