In an extraordinary event, a ten mile walk by nearly 700 local women, including Bay Life publisher, Dianne Dear, a total of £71,000 was raised for local children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House.
The charity is the only childrens’ hospice in Sussex, looking after 20 families in the Eastbourne area alone. It costs £2,000,000 a year to run the hospice with only 10% of that coming from Government Funding. Events of this description are described as being ‘essential to maintainenance this vital service‘.
Billed as the ‘Second Night to Remember’ the sponsored walk along Eastbourne seafront began at midnight on Sunday 27 May 2012. It has been recognised as a huge success by both participants and local people.
The event, set up by the Sussex children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House, was started by the new Eastbourne mayor, Councillor Mike Thompson.
Those taking part included a host of mums whose children have received support from the hospice.
Gemma Croucher was walking with 30 friends and family in memory of Finlay, who died of a heart condition aged just 24 days exactly three months ago and his father Kevin was a volunteer marshal at the event.
Gemma commented, “Chestnut Tree House helped us so much when Finlay died – they organised the funeral and had so much love and support for us, it was amazing.
“They really helped us get through it and tonight is our way of giving back to them.”
Zoe Gilbert, whose seven-year-old Connor died six years ago and received help from the hospice, was walking with friends in memory of her son and there were many other groups of women from across East Sussex who walked together on the night – starting at midnight and ending at dawn.
Spokeswoman for the Chestnut Tree House hospice, Joanna Carden said “The walk has been a huge success, with more women participating than last year.”
“It costs nearly £7,000 to provide the care services at Chestnut Tree House for a single day. Thanks to our wonderful walkers, we have raised enough to pay for more than 10 days of care both at the hospice and out in the community in families’ own homes.
Over the past two years, hundreds of women have taken to the streets and seafront of Eastbourne and raised a total £203,000 in the process. And plans are already underway for next year’s midnight walk, which will be held on Saturday, May 18 2013.
Publisher of Bay Life, Dianne Dear, along with friends, Gill Gillies, Moyra Robinson and Julie Buttery managed to finish in 3 hours 25 mins, describing the experience as ‘quite gruelling’ adding that at the end ‘a cup of tea was most welcome!’.
Registration for next year is now open at www.nighttoremember.org.uk. The walk costs £15 per person to enter, with each walker being given a pack, including an exclusive purple t-shirt, torch and medal, as well as a fundraising pack and refreshments en route.
PICTURE SOURCE: SOVEREIGN FM
