5 Jul 2017 Community

“Giving back” at Kirkwood Hospice’s Midnight Memory Walk

As the dust is only just settling after Kirkwood’s biggest fundraising event of the year, we look back to some highlights and stories from the night

In the early hours of Sunday morning, 1,221 loyal supporters came together to celebrate the Hospice’s 30th Anniversary, to raise a staggering £113,000 towards patient care in a very special way.

Taking on a five or ten mile sponsored walk, starting and ending at The University of Huddersfield’s Queensgate campus, walkers came to “give something back”, as put by Leanne Manning on the night.

 

Here are their stories…

Leanne Manning, Kimberley Earnshaw and Sam Lee, of Waterloo and Fenay Bridge, donned their bright orange T-shirts in memory of Leanne's partner, Tony Hawkins.

"Tony received fantastic care from the Hospice before he died” said Leanne. “Tonight we just wanted to give something back.

"We've called ourselves the ‘Walking Warriors’. We've all been out training five nights a week to get ready!

Gareth Greenwood, of Lockwood, and his eight year-old daughter, Holly, stayed up late in memory of Gareth's Auntie Nancy, who died earlier this year.

"She always donated money to Kirkwood so we thought we’d come in her memory this year.” said Gareth.

Holly added: "We do this every year. This is my fourth time and my dad has done it five times. I am going to do it when I'm older as well!"

Friends Shona Beattie, of Marsh, and Cheryl Watson, from Salendine Nook, along with Buddy the dog, took on the 10 mile walk in memory of a special friend.

Shona said: “A big group of us are here tonight to remember Clare Standring who we lost in October, aged just 46. She was at the Hospice for eight days and she wanted to go there, it was her last wish.

“I was absolutely blown away by how caring and beautiful they are at the Hospice. It’s amazing down there, such a beautiful place. When you go down to the Hospice, you feel so welcome.”

Angela Oldroyd, from Birstall, was walking with her best friend, Helen Banks, and dog, Scamp. Dressed head-to-toe in orange glitz and doing the walk for the first time, the team were raring to go!

Angela said: “We’re really looking forward to the walk. It’s a great atmosphere and we’re coming along to support the Hospice and the fabulous work they do.”

Margaret Hamilton came from Scissett to soak up the atmosphere with her family and to remember her sister, Ros Childs, and late brother-in-law, Rod Whitefoot.

She said: “I did the walk in 2016 and couldn’t wait to come back this year. It’s a great time, great company and a great cause.”

Brady Frost, 22, from Lindley, came on the night to walk in memory of his Dad and Auntie. Brady, who has previously accessed Kirkwood’s Family Care services, was looking forward to doing the walk for his first year with his Mum, Dad, Auntie, Sister and dog, Jasper.

“I’ve joined the walk tonight because Kirkwood is a great charity and it does a lot for Huddersfield and Kirklees. I just wanted to give something back to a Hospice that I know does a lot of good work for the community.”

Kirkwood Hospice would like to say a huge congratulations to everybody that took part on the night and to all the event sponsors and volunteers for their support.