Fundraising night walk returns to Winchester city centre 

 A charity walk is returning to the streets of the city centre for to raise money for local people with a terminal illness. 

 Winchester Hospice’s Purple Night Walk is back for its second year on Saturday 5 October and this year the 6km route will commence at Pilgrims School and culminate at the west door of Winchester Cathedral where walkers will be presented with medals to celebrate their achievement.  

 Last year, the event saw hundreds of people take to the streets of Winchester and raised over £4,000 for the charity. Jo Westerman, Fundraising Officer at Winchester Hospice, is hoping to do even better this year. She said; “We’ve been part of the community for almost three years now and have received tremendous support from the people of Winchester. Last year’s debut Purple Night Walk was so much fun and we were delighted with how much people raised for the hospice. This year, we hope that even more people can join us. It’s a perfect event to do with a group of friends or a team of work colleagues to help raise money. Every penny is greatly appreciated and stays in the community to help care for local people.” 

 The walk is open to everyone and anyone under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult along the route. 

 Taking part this year for the first time is the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith. Talking about his reasons for taking part, he said; “The dedicated team at Winchester Hospice offers such compassionate care to adults with life-limiting illnesses who live in our district. Fundraising is crucial to the charity’s ability to carry on this important service, so I am delighted to join their Purple Night Walk this autumn to help shine a spotlight on all the good work that they do.”       

 The walk takes place just as Hospice Care Week begins to highlight the importance of hospice care to local people. Up until 2021, there was no specialist hospice care in Winchester and those needing it had to travel a long way. Since the hospice opened, it’s supported over 1,000 at the hospice itself with a further 500 receiving care in their own home or in the community. 

 Taking part costs just £10 per person and the charity is asking participants to fundraise by collecting sponsorship if they can. To sign up to the walk, or to find out further information about the event, click here.