Registration Opens Soon for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Midnight Walk
Registration for this summer’s popular Gemstone Midnight Walk in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) will officially open on Saturday 8th March in Friars Square Shopping Centre – when 25 silver ballot places for male walkers will also be up for grabs.
The annual event, now in its fifth year, is a night-time walking challenge comprising of a six or 13-mile route around Aylesbury. In order to mark the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Florence Nightingale Hospice, the Charity revealed last month that this year there will be a limited number of places for men.
How the silver ballot place nominations work
Ladies are being encouraged to nominate their special man (nominations forms will be provided on the registration day and can be filled out and submitted to organisers) – be it a family member, partner or husband, to walk alongside the hundreds of local women who are expected to take part. Alternatively, nominations can be emailed to 25@fnhospice.org.uk or you can put your nomination in the post to the Charity office (details via www.fnhospice.org.uk). Simply explain why your ‘man’ should get one of the 25 places. Entries for the special silver ballot places must be received by Midday on Friday 25th April. Those selected will be asked to raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship.
The official launch is a chance to register on the day as an individual or team, find out more about the Gemstone Midnight Walk (which starts and finishes at Aylesbury College), view footage and photos from previous events, test out the trademark pink bunny and new silver tinsel wigs in celebration of the 25th anniversary year, plus receive some early training advice on how to get in shape for the challenge. Helping to kick-off the event will be the Mix 96 Street Stars.
The walk is the biggest fundraiser in the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s fundraising calendar, raising over a quarter of a million pounds for the Hospice since the event started in 2010. It is hoped that this year’s event will push that figure over the £300,000 mark. Last year a record 754 ladies took on the challenge, and organisers are hoping many more will want to sign up in this very special anniversary year.
“We really want to make this event a celebration of 25 years of the Hospice – a fantastic achievement,” said Sam Heggie, FNHC PR & Marketing Manager. “We’re going to be on hand in Friars Square from 10am on Saturday and I know the Midnight Walk team can’t wait to start signing walkers up for our biggest event of the year. I have taken part in every walk since the very first one (even before I was working for the Charity), and can truly say there is a real buzz and feel-good factor on the night, a lot of laughs and a real sense of achievement. Let’s come together and make this special anniversary year the best yet.”
Registration for the event costs £15 (same price as last year), and includes access to a 10-week training plan, t-shirt, medal, refreshments both pre, during and post walk and a hot & cold breakfast on completion of the challenge. The event stage show will be hosted by Mix 96 breakfast presenter Katy Butler, with staging provided by local company Class Act and entertainment courtesy of local performers (to be announced at a later date).
A number of celebrity faces have lent their support to the walk over the years, including Aylesbury lass Lynda Bellingham, singer Tony Hadley, actress Anita Dobson and local footballer Emmerson Boyce.
If you can’t get down for the registration opening on Saturday, then you can register online at www.gemstonewalk.co.uk or call 01296 429975.
The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) needs to raise over £600,000 this year to keep essential in-patient and at-home services running for local families affected by life-limiting illness across Aylesbury Vale and surrounding area.