Rowans Hospice virtual Moon & Stars Memories Walk
“Put your best foot forward by joining our Moon & Stars Memories Walk for our COVID-19 Appeal”, the Rowans Hospice Charity calls on walkers of all ages for their help.
With Government restrictions continuing to be placed on mass gathering events, the Charity’s signature fundraising events remain either cancelled or indefinitely postponed.
As it continues to face unprecedented financial losses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charity has now launched its virtual Moon & Stars Memories Walk on 24 October 2020.
“This exciting event is a blended version of our much-loved Moonlit Memories Walk and our children’s Starlit Walk” said Fundraising and Events Manager, Craig Willcock. “This FREE event, on Saturday 24 October, is open to all ages, with walkers able to choose 1.5, 3, 6 or 9 miles, as well as where they wish to walk – near their home, a route familiar to them, on a treadmill or even around the garden. We encourage everyone to walk with those living in their household or support bubble, whilst adhering to the latest Government guidelines regarding social distancing. This means walkers must not meet in groups larger than 6 people for their walk” continued Craig.
“Last year our Moonlit Memories and Children’s Starlit Walks raised over £120,000 for the Charity. We really do need your support now more than ever, to help us recoup these devastating losses.”
The Moon & Stars Memories Walk is FREE to enter, with a suggested sponsorship target of £50 to support the Charity. There will be a medal for those who achieve £50 or more in sponsorship. The Charity is encouraging adult walkers to wear their Moonlit Memories t-shirts from previous years or a Moonlit t-shirt can be requested at no cost.
Children are encouraged to wear fancy dress and will receive a Memory Star to write a personalised in-memory of a loved on. Adults will be given a t-shirt bib to attach to the back of their t-shirt, displaying the names of those they are walking for. All walkers will also receive a packet of sweets and an LED candle.
Beginning at 5.30pm on Saturday 24 October, the Rowans Hospice Charity Facebook page will play host to a special Moon & Stars Memories Walk feed with entertainment including a mass virtual Zumba warm up. At 6pm, just before setting off, there will be a short period of reflection to remember those we are walking in memory of.
The first walker to sign up was Stuart Quinn. He said, “Rowans helped my Dad at home back in 2009 and we have supported them pretty much ever since. I have taken part in the Moonlit Walk and was due to do it this year but due to COVID-19 that was cancelled, so I am planning on doing the Moon & Stars Memories Walk instead.”
Rowans Hospice is renowned for high quality palliative and specialist end of life care, with its role essential in supporting the NHS. As the Charity’s reliance on voluntary donations is now more critical than ever before, it’s calling upon as many local walkers as possible for help to raise these vital and much-needed funds. All funds raised through the Moon and Stars Memories Walk will be helping to shore-up the future of Hospice Care, not only for patients with life-limiting illnesses, but for their families and carers. From the moment of diagnosis through to bereavement support, all care is given without charge. Today, and over the coming weeks and months of this next wave, the care the Hospice provides is more important than ever before.
Concluding, Craig said, “If you have ever had any contact with Rowans Hospice, you will appreciate just how important the Charity is to our local community. Even if you have not been in contact with the Hospice before, please consider signing up today to support your local Hospice. We cannot thank enough everyone who takes part and fundraises for our COVID-19 Appeal.”
Website link: http://www.rowanshospice.co.uk/moonstars
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RowansHospice/.
* whilst adhering to current Government social distancing rules
