TIME TO DUST OFF THE WALKING BOOTS AS HOSPICE FUNDRAISING EVENT RETURNS
St Christopher’s Hospice is celebrating the return of its popular Fun Walk fundraising event after a five-year absence.
The feel-good event will see thousands of keen walkers and supporters of St Christopher’s take part in the fun on Sunday 12 May, with fancy dress costumes a popular choice for many. Some walkers proudly walk in memory of loved ones with photos of them on their t-shirts, raising money for the charity.
The Fun Walk starts and finishes at Keston Common, which hosts fair-ground stalls, children’s games, live music, refreshments and even a dog show.
You can choose your distance with a choice of 3, 5, 8 or 11 mile sponsored walks with plenty of entertainment stops along the way, if you want to rest and take in the springtime scenery. Early birds can set-off from Keston Common from 9am, with the last recommended set-off time advised for 11am if you are undertaking the eleven-mile walk. It costs £15 to register as an adult or £5 for 3-17-year-olds.
Dogs are also very welcome to come along for the walk; in fact, why not ask friends and family to sponsor your dog to scamper across the fields?
Walkers can sign up teams and will be given a dedicated online page where they can compete with others to see who can raise the most money. A team of dedicated hospice nurses will be walking as a team on behalf of St Christopher’s, raising vital funds for the charity.
The hospice hasn’t organised a Fun Walk for five years after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted plans, meaning donations through events such as these have taken a hit. The event first took place in 1990 and raised £29,000!
12-year-old William has been walking for St Christopher’s since he was a toddler in memory of his mum, Jennifer, who died aged just 27.
He’ll be joined by his grandma, Debbie Slaughter, and his grandad, also called William, his dad, and a group of dozen friends and family. They have taken part in every walk organised by St Christopher’s since Jennifer died in 2013.
William, who has received bereavement counselling through the hospice’s child bereavement service, said: “I love raising money for St Christopher’s so that others can be looked after like my mother was and to buy equipment for people staying there to make their overall experience comforting.”
Grandma Debbie, who lives in Bromley, said: “Jennifer used to do the Fun Walk with her friends so it just felt like the natural thing to do.
“We really look forward to it. Yes, it’s very poignant, but it’s also, as the name suggests, a great fun day too. We wear T-shirts with a photo of Jennifer on and no matter what the weather, rain or shine, enjoy remembering her.”
Christine Davies, Head of Fundraising at St Christopher’s, said: “We’re so excited to return to Keston Common for the first Fun Walk since 2019 and welcome back thousands of our supporters from across South London.
“Fun Walk has always been a popular fundraising event for us ever since the first one in 1990 – raising hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.”
“With no Fun Walk for five years, this year’s event is more important than ever to help us to raise vital funds to continue providing end of life care for people across south London, as well as their families, loved ones and carers. Please do sign up today.”
To sign up for St Christopher’s Fun Walk on Sunday 12 May, visit www.stchristophers.org.uk/funwalk