Celebrate someone special

After the annual Starlight Hikes were cancelled due to coronavirus, Sue Ryder launched Walk to Remember, a new walking event for individuals, families or friends or colleagues to celebrate the life of someone special.

Participants can complete a 5K or 10K walk any day throughout October or virtually join hundreds of others across the country for the official walk day on Saturday 17 October. Walkers are encouraged to personalise their walk by choosing the distance, start and finish line, and a route or location that means something special to them.

46-year-old Lisa Downes from Cookridge will be doing a Walk to Remember in tribute to her dad, David Morley, and stepmum, Irene Morley, who both received end of life care at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. Joined by her sister, daughter and friends, Lisa will walk 16 miles around Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District on Saturday 17 October, which would also have been her dad’s birthday.

“The work they do is amazing and I wanted to do this memory walk to raise money for them”

Lisa said: “Sue Ryder helped our whole family and made it possible to grant dad his wish of staying at home during his last stages of cancer. The work they do is amazing and I wanted to do this memory walk to raise money for them. COVID-19 has had a huge impact and I hope the money raised helps the hospice to continue providing amazing and compassionate care.”

With fundraising events cancelled for the rest of this year and no clear indication of how long it will take for Sue Ryder charity shops to return to normal trading, Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice anticipates a funding gap of £1.1m for this financial year.

Lisa hopes to raise £1,000 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice and you can help her raise vital funds  by making a donation on her JustGiving page.

Remember loved ones by taking part in Walk to Remember

Donna Woodman, Head of Hospice Fundraising, said: “We hope that this special event will provide a way for people to remember loved ones, take in the beautiful autumn scenery and help us continue to be there for people when it matters. Entry is free, but any fundraising or donations will make all the difference to local people and families needing our expert care and support.”

If you would like to celebrate the life of someone close and help raise us vital funds, you can sign up to take on your own Walk to Remember along a route which means something special to you.

Find out further information on Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, the specialist care they provide and other ways you can help to support them.