Sussex hospice reveals return of Midnight Walk

The St Catherine’s Hospice Midnight Walk is one of the charity’s largest fundraising events raising vital funds to help terminally ill people across the community.

After postponing the original Midnight Walk in June, the hospice said it is thrilled to announce the Midnight Walk is back.

Michaela Clements, events fundraising manager at St Catherine’s added: “Taking place on Saturday December 12 2020 from 4pm, this is your chance to do something amazing and help end the year on a positive note! Sign up today and show local families facing terminal illness that they aren’t alone.”

This year, the community can’t all walk through Horsham together, so the Midnight Walk will be a bit different but no less special.

St Catherine’s is calling on people like you to get together with a small group of friends and family and walk your own two, seven, 13 or 20 mile Midnight Walk.

Michaela said: “While you do, you’ll know that other hospice supporters are doing the same thing at the same time.

“The local hospice will send you everything you need to take part and fundraise safely, and on the night St Catherine’s staff will set you off walking in style, with a special Facebook Live pre-walk celebration including entertainment, inspiration and a virtual warm up.

“After the year we’ve all had, we all deserve something to look forward to – St Catherine’s Midnight Walk will be an unmissable, magical evening.

“And every step you take will be special because you’ll be remembering the people you love and supporting your local hospice.

St Catherine’s knows that for people walking in memory of someone they love Christmas time can feel especially poignant, she added.

Michaela said: “To help bring everyone together, and to collectively honour all those people we love and miss, this year, the hospice has set up a beautiful, virtual Memory Wall where walkers are encouraged to share a story, picture, or thought about someone they’re walking for.

“2020 has been a challenging year, but this is your chance to make a difference when it’s needed most.”

She added that by supporting the walk people can make sure St Catherine’s can continue to provide vital services to those in need,

Michaela said: “Nobody should feel alone, especially at Christmas.

“Not feeling alone is important for us all, but it’s especially important for people, like Earl, living with a terminal illness.

“Earlier this year coronavirus meant Earl had to temporarily stop visiting St Catherine’s Living Well Centre. He was disappointed and worried that he’d become isolated, but thanks to generous supporters, the hospice was able to set up a brand-new Telephone Buddy service. Now, every week, people like Earl receive a friendly phone call from a trained volunteer.”

Earl said: “The Telephone Buddy service has made such a difference to me. I’m classified as extremely vulnerable so I’m not able to go out and I only get the odd conversation with people. Speaking to my buddy, Graham, has been a lifeline.

“A lot of laughing goes on during our calls, and it’s something for me to look forward to each week.”

By taking part in the Midnight Walk you can make sure more people in your community have something to look forward to, and someone to laugh with, this Christmas, Michaela said.

She added: “That’s a priceless gift. St Catherine’s really needs your support. Coronavirus has hit the local charity hard and this year there’s a predicted drop in income of around £1.5 million.

“So, will you do something incredible this Christmas? Will you walk, along with your community, to remember the people you love and to support St Catherine’s?”

To sign up online visit www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk or call St Catherine’s team on 01293 447355 to register over the phone.

To donate to St Catherine’s Hospice see https://www.stch.org.uk/ourhospice

The County Times is supporting St Catherine’s Hospice through the Help Our Hospice campaign. We want to highlight the great work being done there, and to encourage you, our readers, to get behind them.