Popular charity walk through Winchester returns
A popular charity walk is set to return to the city, just in time to mark the organisations fourth anniversary celebrations.
Winchester Hospice welcomed its first patient in September 2021 and this year will mark four years of continuous care of local people with a life limiting or terminal illness.
To celebrate, the charity’s Purple Night Walk will coincide with the anniversary and walkers are invited to don their finest purple outfits and join the event on Saturday 20 September to mark this milestone and help raise funds to help care for future patients.
Donna Combs, matron at Winchester Hospice, said; “Since we opened our doors, we’ve had the privilege of caring for over 3,000 people and their families and every single one of the team knows that’s only possible thanks to the generosity of our local community and the fundraising they do to support us.
“Last year, many of us were at the Purple Night Walk and it was touching to see so many familiar faces walking in memory of a loved one and helping to raise money so that we’re able to be there for another family like theirs.”
The charity walk will begin around 7pm at The Pilgrims’ School and follows a 6km route through the city, ending at Winchester Cathedral where participants will be greeted by the charity team and awarded with a medal to thank them for taking part.
Jo Westerman, fundraising officer at Winchester Hospice, said; “The Purple Night Walk is a poignant night of celebration and remembrance. Many people choose to walk in memory of a loved one who was cared for by the hospice and raise money to help us continue our care. Knowing someone who has been cared for isn’t obligatory though and many local people join us to simply enjoy a night out with family and friends, celebrating and supporting the work of the hospice.”
Each year, the hospice needs to raise around £750,000 to ensure local people benefit from the expert care of the hospice and the support of the community, through events such as the Purple Night Walk, is integral to ensuring this care is available to those who need it, when they need it.
To help, local estate agent Nony Kerr-Smiley is once again generously sponsoring the event and said; “We’re delighted to be supporting the Purple Night Walk again. The atmosphere last year was incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed being part of the celebrations to help raise funds for a charity which does so much to support the local community.”
Last year, the event saw around 250 people take part in the annual event raising over £40,000 for Winchester Hospice.
Tickets for this year’s event are just £10 for adults and £5 for children and the charity is also asking people to raise at least £25 each if they can. To book your place, click the button below.