21 Aug 2020 Community

Taking to the streets for the Virtual Memory Walk

This October, Laura Wade and her partner are set to take on Kirkwood’s Virtual Memory Walk. They’ve pledged to take on a 10 mile challenge in memory of her dad, David Wade. 

Laura Wade, of Huddersfield, is set to lace up this October and take on Kirkwood’s Virtual Memory Walk in memory of her dad, David Wade. 

Laura said: “I’ll be walking with my partner, Chris, who unfortunately never got the chance to know my dad. Chris also sadly lost his dad to cancer, so we’ll be thinking of him too.” 

Laura's dad, David Wade

 

Laura had previously taken part in the Midnight Memory Walk back in 2016 and after being unable to attend since, Laura and Chris decided to sign up to the Virtual Memory Walk to honour David. 

“Dad was 59 when he died. He had been fighting metastatic lung cancer for 18 months when he suddenly became very poorly, very quickly. The hospital doctors told us he had 48 hours to live.  

“He was so unhappy in hospital and was visibly giving up, something he had refused to do throughout his illness. He was lucky enough to be transferred to Kirkwood, where the fantastic doctors and nurses managed against all expectations to stabilise him. They gave him another seven weeks of pain free, comfortable life.   

 

“Kirkwood gave us a last chance to be a family, rather than a patient and his carers. During the COVID-19 lockdown, it broke my heart to think of all the other families who had to be denied that opportunity, and all of the vital fundraising events that had to be cancelled.  

“I haven't been able to take part in the Memory Walk for the last couple of years for various reasons, but I knew I had to sign up this year. 

“We are walking 10 miles and plan to set off and finish at Rose Hill Burial Ground in Birkby, where we chose to bury my dad’s ashes.” 

Laura's Midnight Memory Walk team 2016

 

The coronavirus outbreak sadly led to the cancellation of the 14th Midnight Memory Walk, that was set to take place on the rescheduled date of Saturday 10th October. 

However walkers can still lace up in memory of their loved ones and take part in Kirkwood’s Virtual Memory Walk.  

This virtual version of the Midnight Memory Walk means our local community can still pay tribute to their loved ones and walk six or ten miles on a date and time that suits them best. 

To sign up to the Virtual Memory Walk and join Laura and Chris this October, visit: www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk/mmw