26 Jun 2024 Community

People walk in memory of loved ones at The Kirkwood Memory Walk

Just under a week ago 1,300 people walked the streets of Huddersfield in memory of loved ones that are no longer with us. In what was a night of joyful smiles, colourful outfits and a terrific musical soundtrack. The Kirkwood Memory Walk was a huge success. 

Having raised over £80,000 for The Kirkwood every walker should be immensely proud of their achievements. Those funds directly impact the care and support we give our patients on the In-Patient Unit at Dalton but also the services we provide out in the community all across Kirklees. 

Walkers on the night either followed a 6 or 10 mile route, starting and ending at the John Smith’s Stadium, the home of Rugby League side Huddersfield Giants and football club Huddersfield Town. As they walked the route in their green t-shirts each person had the opportunity to walk in memory of someone special. 

Two people that were walking in memory of their mums were Steve Dickinson and Andy Wardman from Cleckheaton. Both women were cared for by The Kirkwood. Steve's mum died last year whilst receiving care from our nurses. Meanwhile Andy's mother was a patient back in 1990 only three years after the charity was created. 

On doing the walk for the first time Steve said: “Sadly I lost my mum Celia in October last year, she was cared for by The Kirkwood. The care she received was absolutely brilliant. I couldn't fault it in any way, shape or form. The staff were amazing; they didn't make you feel like you were harassing them.

“It's the first time we've done the walk, the atmosphere was amazing. We dressed up as dinosaurs because we wanted to be a bit different. 

“You don't really realise you need The Kirkwood until you need it. It's massively important for the people of Kirklees.” 

Andy added: “My mum died in 1990, The Kirkwood had only just opened. I think it's a fantastic charity and it's so important. I enjoyed the atmosphere at the walk, it was great to see everyone walking together.”

Steve and Andy looked fantastic in their dinosaur outfits and completely harnessed the fun and energetic spirit everyone involved with The Kirkwood loved to see at the event. 

Also doing the walk was Bionce and Marjere from Huddersfield who were doing the walk for their third and fourth times. Having grown up knowing about The Kirkwood they both are passionate about how important we are to the Kirklees community. 

Bionce from Fartown said: “We've grown up with The Kirkwood and what it means. We've had relatives cared for by The Kirkwood and we know how important it is to the Kirklees community. 

“You hear stories all the time of people who have had relatives cared for by The Kirkwood staff. My local shop is run by a lovely family that we grew up with and their father was cared for by The Kirkwood in his final few days. It's my third time doing the walk. It's an amazing atmosphere, I just love it.” 

Marjere from Thornton Lodge added: “It's my fourth time doing the walk, I think it's just brilliant seeing everyone come together to remember someone special. I love the atmosphere and how positive it is and the fact people are walking for one purpose.” 

Finally Jess and Jo from Almondbury and Kirkheaton respectively were doing the walk in support of their friend Sarah whose mum died of cancer after being cared for by The Kirkwood in 2022. Both women thought it was important to support their friend Sarah at the walk and do it in her mum's memory. 

Jess said: “We did the walk with our friend Sarah, whose mum Bev was ill with cancer and she died on The Kirkwood's In-Patient Unit in 2022. We did the walk last year too and loved it. the atmosphere has been amazing both years we've done it.” 

Jo added: “Everyone's so friendly and everyone's cheering everyone on and we're all here for the same reason and what a brilliant cause it is to raise money for The Kirkwood. 

“I think the personal relationship Sarah and her family had with the staff from The Kirkwood stuck with them and they wanted to give a bit back and we are more than happy to support Sarah in doing the walk as her friends.” 

Everyone involved with The Kirkwood would once again like to thank all of our amazing walkers for their incredible support.