24 Jun 2018 Community

Emotional scenes as thousands join Kirkwood’s Midnight Memory Walk

Huge numbers descended on the University of Huddersfield’s Queensgate campus late on Saturday evening to take part in a night time stroll with a big difference.

Blue was the colour as the local community turned out in force to take part in Kirkwood Hospice’s Midnight Memory Walk.

1,265 from across Kirklees and beyond put on their walking boots to pledge a record breaking £117,124 for the Hospice, which provides care and support for anyone affected by a life limiting illness across Kirklees.

The annual event, sponsored by Syngenta, now in its twelfth year, is an important event in the Kirkwood calendar, which brings the community together for a special night of celebration and remembrance.

As well as raising vital funds for Kirkwood, for many walkers the walk is an important way to remember loved ones who have died and to pay tribute to their lives.

For the Woodhouse family, this year’s Midnight Memory Walk was special as they took part for their first year, and walked in memory of Linda Woodhouse.

Linda's husband, John, said: "A group of 15 friends and family are walking tonight in memory of Linda, including her three children, Harry, Nell and Fred.

"Linda passed away at Kirkwood Hospice on the 1st February this year and we're here tonight to give something back. Linda was so well cared for at Kirkwood. She felt comfortable there, she was as happy as she could be, and we were comfortable too.

"We wanted to walk tonight to give something back to the next person. We've raised about £1,300 to date on the JustGiving page but we're hoping to come again next year and make it an annual affair."

Nigel and Samuel Lockwood, from Moldgreen, were also thinking about someone special at this year’s event.

“We're here to raise as much money as possible for a fantastic cause. We've lost so many friends and family at Kirkwood, including Sam's Nana, Flo Crooks. We're walking in memory of Flo and everybody else loved and lost.”

The atmosphere reached fever pitch as the clock ticked toward midnight and the crowd swelled.

Glow dancers whirled their way through a sea of electric blue as the crowd were treated to a pitch perfect performance from musician, Max Restaino, and high energy entertainment from Rosie Madison and the Pulse Radio team.

In the crowd was the Brook family, of Holmfirth and Heckmondwike, who were taking part for the first time.

"We're here tonight because we know how much good work Kirkwood Hospice does in the community. We've been wanting to take part for a couple of years but never had chance to do it. We're very excited to get going!"

After being put through its paces by Total Fitness, the fully warmed up crowd gathered at the start line for another emotive and memorable midnight walk.

As chimes called out the midnight hour, enormous confetti cannons shook the still night air, sending a stream of tickertape fluttering back toward the sea of electric blue which poured through an illuminated archway and out into the early morning air.

Katie Howbridge first took part in the Midnight Memory walk eight years ago, and has now completed her fifth walk all for her son, Tadeusz.

"My son is living with a disability and his positivity is what made me realise that I could do the walk.

"One day we met a little boy with cancer, who was also in a wheelchair and spoke to my son. Every year since then, Tadeusz has asked me to take part in the walk for people with life-limiting conditions.

"Every year he expects me at the front of the crowd, so he can spot me. He's such a positive little boy and he gives me so much inspiration. There's so many people here tonight with inspirational stories of loved ones and that's why I do it. It's such a lovely cause and event to support."

After making their way through Waterloo, Fenay Bridge and Lascelles Hall, walkers were invited to take a breather at the Hospice in Dalton, where a special Memory Wall was created for them to pin up special memories of loved ones.

As tired and thirsty walkers approached the finishing line, they were cheered home by fellow participants and the Kirkwood team, before being rewarded with a well-deserved butty and a hot drink.

And finishers’ medals weren’t just for the human walkers, with over 60 pooches also being rewarded for their efforts with a doggie goodie bag.

All the money raised from this year’s record breaking Midnight Memory Walk will help the charity to provide care for anyone affected by a life limiting illness at any stage of their illness and support them every step of the way.

For Kirkwood Events Organiser, Kathryn Box, this was her first experience of the Midnight Memory Walk, and she was amazed by the turn out.

“Tonight’s Midnight Memory Walk has been a brilliant experience, and one which I am so proud to be part of.

“With 1,265 walkers, it’s one of the biggest ever turnouts for the walk. This year, the amount pledged has broken records and the atmosphere has been amazing. So many people have been sharing stories about loved ones.

“I want to say a huge thank you to every single person that has walked tonight. It’s been a record breaking night in all sorts of ways for Kirkwood, and their support will help us to continue providing the very best care and support for anyone affected by a life limiting illness in Kirklees.

“Events like tonight are so important for Kirkwood Hospice as we rely on the generous support of our community. No other event brings so many people together to remember special people in our lives in the same way and we hope that it’s been as amazing for the people taking part as it has been for everyone at Kirkwood!”

Kirkwood would like to thank event sponsor, Syngenta, and the University of Huddersfield, as well as start line sponsor Investec Wealth & Investment.

The Hospice is also indebted to; Shepley Spring, TUGO, Matthew Algie, Bidfood, Starbucks on Leeds Road, ASDA Dewsbury, Aldi Slaithwaite, Haigh’s Farm Shop, Threshfields, Pets at Home,  Avenue 20, Mark Flynn Photography, West Yorkshire 4x4 Volunteers, Raynet, First Medical, Total Fitness, Sainsbury’s at Shorehead, Veronika Lukacova, Pastiché Glow Dancers, Max Restaino, Rosie Madison and Pulse Radio. Thanks are also due to the many volunteers who helped to make the event such a success.

Event photographer Mark Flynn Photography has created a gallery of images from this year's Midnight Memory Walk. Click here to take a look.