Published 19.10.23

Hundreds glow in purple for first ever Winchester Hospice night walk

Saturday night saw the city of Winchester light up purple as nearly 300 people took part in a vibrant charity walk to raise money for Winchester Hospice.

The inaugural Winchester Purple Night Walk brought friends and families together sporting purple tutus, feather boas and glow-in-the-dark accessories as they prepared to take on the six kilometre distance.

Kicking off at All Saints Church in Highcliffe, the walk followed a circular route along the banks of the river Itchen, past St Catherine’s Hill and back towards the city.

Joining at the start line was one inpatient at Winchester Hospice who was brought to the event by wheelchair taxi to wave off the crowd – organised especially by hospice staff.

As walkers passed the Hospital of St Cross they were treated to a surprise moonlit performance by Winchester Sings, a local community choir who regularly support the work of Winchester Hospice.

Maddy Thomson, consultant nurse and clinical lead for end of life care at Winchester Hospice and trustee at Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, says: “It was an incredible evening. Seeing so many people come together in support of Winchester Hospice was simply astonishing – it actually made me feel quite emotional.

“Our services rely on the support of our community to be able to keep growing and developing and I just can’t thank everyone who joined us enough for walking alongside us on this journey.”

After the crowd had crossed the finish line, the buzz continued as groups posed for photos under the statement balloon arch and enjoyed hot food from a local food truck.

In total, the ticketed walk raised just under £4,000 for Winchester Hospice, the only adult hospice in the city providing palliative and end of life care to those with life-limiting illness.

Following the walk’s success, Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity has announced it will become an annual October event for the city, with the 2024 date still to be confirmed.