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Step out for St Catherine’s Hospice

Friday, 19 April 2024 08:00

By Adele Trathan

St Catherine’s Hospice popular Midnight Walk is bouncing back to the streets of Horsham on Saturday 8 June, Adele Trathan explains how readers can get involved

The night-time walk offers people four different walking routes – 20, 13 or 7 mile options or a shorter two mile stroll. The event raises money to help provide expert end of life care and support to people living with a terminal or life-limiting condition across West Sussex and East Surrey. 

The routes all start at 8pm at the Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath and 'Midnight Walkers' can take part as individuals or in teams. There will be an energetic warm-up before being cheered on throughout the walk by the volunteer marshals. There are also pit-stops along the routes for recharging with refreshments.

For people walking in memory of someone they love, there is the opportunity to remember them by sharing a story, picture, or thought on a memory wall. People can also light a candle in a remembrance area on the 7, 13 or 20 mile routes.

The Midnight Walk is St Catherine’s flagship fundraiser and this year will mark the first Midnight Walk since the local charity moved into a new, state-of-the-art hospice in Pease Pottage last November 2023.

Every year, the hospice cares for around 2,000 people living with a terminal or life-limiting condition at the hospice in Pease Pottage, in their own homes or in care homes. Eight in ten people cared for by St Catherine’s are supported in the comfort of their own home. 

As well as expert medical care, St Catherine’s also provides emotional and practical support through its dedicated Wellbeing Team, which provides a range of services including counselling, welfare advice, bereavement support and spiritual care.  

Emma Butler, Fundraiser at St Catherine’s said, “Last year 575 people took part in the Midnight Walk cheered on by over 80 volunteers. They raised more than £115,000 which is pretty incredible! This year we’re hoping even more people will consider walking and fundraising or volunteering for the Midnight Walk.

Whether you’ve taken part before or this is your first time, you’re in for an inspiring, heartwarming night, joining together with others to support St Catherine’s.”

Giles Tomsett, Chief Executive at St Catherine’s explained, “Every year sending our 'Midnight Walkers' off and then congratulating them as they cross our finish line, tired but triumphant, is one of my favourite tasks of the year. We’re so grateful for the support of each and every walker. Many people who walk have experienced hospice care themselves and it’s wonderful that they fundraise so other families can experience the same care and support they did. We rely on the dedication and generosity of the community to keep our services running so the Midnight Walk really matters. I hope readers feel encouraged to take part.”

It costs around £10 million to run the hospice each year but less than a third of this comes from the NHS. The rest is raised through the support and generosity of the local community.  

Ready to make your steps count?

Sign up now at www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk or call St Catherine's Fundraising Team on 01293 447361. Sign up by Tuesday 30 April 2024 to receive an early bird entry rate of £15 for adults, or £12 for under 18s. Your entry fee includes a free T-shirt, refreshments and medal. 

Or perhaps you’d prefer to volunteer instead of stepping out?

If you’d like to donate your time to support St Catherine’s visit our dedicated webpage to sign up: www.stch.org.uk/volunteer-at-the-midnight-walk-2024/

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