Charity walkers take over city and raise over £27,000
Almost 200 charity supporters have taken over the city this evening to remember loved ones and help raise money to care for local people.
Winchester Hospice’s annual Purple Night Walk took place this evening and saw people dressed head to toe in their finest purple outfits to raise money to help fund future care.
Some of the hospice team taking part.
With money still coming in from sponsorship, the event, which has been kindly sponsored by local estate agents Nony Kerr-Smiley, is expected to raise over £27,000 for the charity and the care of local people living with a life limiting illness.
Stephanie Walker, fundraising assistant at Winchester Hospice, who had organised the event said: “This has been my first Purple Night Walk for the hospice and I’m overwhelmed by the support this event has received. It’s an honour to help bring such a meaningful event together and to see everyone take part to help raise funds to support our care is incredible to witness.
“It’s been an amazing night full of fun as well as reflection, remembering those we are walking in memory of, and I want to thank everyone for taking part and all those who supported the walk via sponsorship to help raise such an incredible sum to help fund our future care.”
As the walkers gathered, they were entertained by local group Winchester Uke Jam before proceedings began with a short speech from hospice matron Donna Coombs who thanked people for coming. Emotions were high as she said she recognised so many of those who attended as she’d helped care for their loved ones. She told them it was her privilege to care for them and it was thanks to them and their fundraising that she was in a position to do so.
Three generations of the same family took part this year.
She was followed by hospice trustee Iain Steel who also thanked everyone for taking part and supporting the hospice, reminding people that, while proud to be an NHS hospice, they still rely on fundraising to be able to offer the care they do.
He then got proceedings underway with a countdown before walkers headed out on the 6km fundraiser. The route took them through Kingsgate Arch onto College Street via the Itchen Navigation towards Five Bridges Road. They then passed through the Hospital of St Cross, back towards St Faith's Road, passing The Wykeham Arms, and back into the Inner Close. The walk culminated at Winchester Cathedral where walkers were handed a medal to mark their completion of the walk, and a tasty treat to help them build their energy levels back up.
Following the walk, Stephanie Walker from the hospice said: “I want to thank everyone for taking part, but I want to give a special mention to our volunteer marshals who were present along the route to help keep everyone safe and on the right path. They’ve all given up their time to be here this evening in support of the hospice and the Purple Night Walk and we really couldn’t have done it without them.”
The events calendar for the year isn’t quite complete for the hospice. Those interested in supporting the charity can still enjoy The Wittering Whitehalls as they bring their unique brand of charm and wit to the university on Saturday 4 October, and their annual Light up a Life service to remember loved ones at Christmas time will take place at Christ Church on Monday 1 December.
