Charity’s Midnight Walk set to be a record breaker
Over 800 Walkers are expected to light up the streets of Aylesbury next weekend for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s final Midnight Walk, the highest number ever to take part.
The team behind the event are overjoyed by the response, and they are confident that the event will see the greatest amount of money raised, helping the charity to continue to support vital hospice care in the area.
“It is going to be such a special night. We are seeing Walkers who have taken part every year since 2010, and new Walkers joining us for the first time. People are walking in memory of loved ones, to show their support for their local hospice or simply to be part of a fun and memorable event,” says Claire Redrup, Fundraising Manager at the charity.
The Walk has seen the support of many local businesses to make the night a fun occasion for all those giving up their beds to walk through the night. Entertainment will be provided at registration from Glee Club and Paul Biz, with DJ Dan Blaze’s disco at the first pitstop at the Waterside Theatre. Jo Beardsmore-Dilks of JBD Fitness will lead the warmup prior to the start of the Walk, as she has done every year since the first Midnight Walk.
“I feel so lucky, honoured and privileged to have played a small part in this event, right from the very first one,” says Jo. “The passing of a dear friend, led to another dear friend inviting me to take the warm up for the very first Walk. I remember being so nervous ahead of the event, but the atmosphere was electric and I was soon carried by the ‘floods of people’ in front of me.”
With temperatures expected to rise over the week The Works will be providing welcome ice-cream refreshments at the Waterside pitstop.
At the end of the five or ten mile routes, each Walker will receive their Finisher’s Medal and be rewarded with a breakfast, prepared by BMC Catering and a team of volunteers with bacon supplied by King’s Farm Shop of Wendover, K & B Butchers of Princes Risborough and Tilbury’s of Aylesbury.
There is still time to be part of the Farewell Midnight Walk, which starts at midnight on Saturday 16th July. Online booking for the event closes at midnight on Wednesday 13th July or you can register from 10pm at the event on 16th July at Aylesbury College. For more information and to sign up, please visit www.fnhospice.org.uk/midnight-walk