12 Jun 2018 Community

Paul Stead: Midnight Memory Walker No. 1

Paul Stead was the very first person to sign up to Kirkwood Hospice’s 2018 Midnight Memory Walk. With registration closing in just a few days, we talk to Paul about why he signed up, and why you should do the same.

The Midnight Memory Walk is one of the biggest and most famous events in Kirkwood’s fundraising calendar.

Every year, over a thousand local Kirklees people come together to lace up their boots, and walk in memory of loved ones.

Paul Stead: MMW Walker No. 1

 

58-year-old Paul Stead of Kirkheaton has been taking part in the Midnight Memory Walk since 2014, and walking in memory of his Dad, Harold Stead, and dear friend, Freda Dawson, as well as his Mum, Vera Mavis, who recently died aged 93.

Paul said: “It all goes back to 2010 when I was arranging a fundraising event for Kirkwood Hospice with a friend of mine, Peter Dawson, and his wife, Freda. Freda had cancer at the time and while we were organising the event, Freda ended up coming into the Hospice herself and sadly passed away.

“Peter started taking part in the Midnight Memory Walk in memory of Freda in 2011, 2012 and 2013 which coincided with my Dad, Harold, passing in 2014.

“The walk is very much in memory of my Dad, but it’s as much in memory of Freda. Between all of us, I think we’ve raised about £10,000 for Kirkwood.”

Walking in memory of Harold Stead

 

Living close to the Hospice, Paul is pleased to support a local cause as well as taking advantage of the fitness element of the walk. Taking part in his fifth event this year, Paul is a regular and recognisable character at Kirkwood’s Memory Walks - often found sporting his now famous kilt for the walk itself!

Paul said: “If I can do the 10 mile walk, I can prove to myself that I’m okay. It’s a fantastic event, for a very worthy cause, but it’s all about remembering people and keeping their memory alive.

“There’s that element before the walk commences where everybody is talking and coming together. That’s one of the beauties about the Midnight Memory Walk – it’s got a real family atmosphere and people know each other. There is real love, and real togetherness from the people that take part.

"There is real love, and real togetherness from the people that take part." Paul Stead

“It’s not easy when you lose somebody you love but the Hospice is here for those moments. As a town, we should be proud that we have two great Hospices and that’s why I support the Midnight Memory Walk.”

Pre-event registration for the 2018 Midnight Memory Walk closes at Midnight on Sunday 17th June and is £17 for adults, £10 for children (16 years and under) and £5 for dogs.

To sign up, please click here or call our Fundraising Team on: 01484 557911.

You can also pick up a paper registration form at any of our shops across Kirklees, or from the Hospice itself.