David Long Photos Make sure that you book your place early for Starlight Walk 2010! Our new online booking form will be available in August. If you would like us to let you know when it becomes available, please email tgash@peacehospice.org.uk
Yellow Army march for Hospice!
Over 1,500 ladies, all dressed in bright yellow, walked a half marathon on Saturday night, making the Starlight Walk the highest attended event since its inception three years ago. The event organised by the Peace Hospice is expected to raise in the region of £200,000.
The walk was started at midnight on by recently reformed Spandau Ballet band member and former Eastender's star, Martin Kemp.
The eager walkers set off through Watford at the start of the 13 mile course. The route took the ladies through the High Street, passing Bushey Arches, down Rickmansworth Road, through Croxley Green and back into Cassiobury Park.
The fastest walkers completed the course close to 2.5 hours with the final walkers making it back just before 5am.
One walker, Abbey Johnson aged 16 from Leavesden in Watford said ‘I did the walk with my Mum and it was the first time that we had done it and we managed to raise £750.
I’m really glad we signed up – it was brilliant. It was hard work completing the walk but it was worth it for such a good cause’.
Another walker, Susan Bradly from Guildford said ‘I was doing the walk in memory of my Mum who passed away at the Hospice in July. The Hospice treated my family so well during this time and I will never be able to thank them enough. The walk also coincided with my Mum’s birthday. The whole experience of the walk was something I will never forget and it was really moving seeing the many candles in Cassiobury Park. I can’t wait for next year’.
The event’s main sponsors were Watford Football Club, My News, Herts Mercury 96 6FM, Skanska, Watford Observer, SA Law, The Grove, David Lloyd, Barclays, Watford Borough Council, RMA Consulting Engineers LLP and Herts Fire Service. The Hospice’s Chair of Trustees, Stuart Nagler said ‘It was amazing to see so many women set off down the High Street, making the night a fantastic occasion.
I’m sure that for everyone who took part, it will be a night that will stay in the memory for a long time to come. The Hospice needs to raise £3 million this year through charitable contributions and the Starlight Walk plays an important part towards achieving this figure’. The Hospice’s Community Fundraising Manager, Gill Crowson said ‘The enthusiasm and response of the ladies who attended on the night was absolutely terrific.
I would like to thank the women that took part in the charitable walk, our Starlight committee and our many helpers and volunteers. Without this help, we would never have been able to put on an event of this scale. This event has shown the genuine desire of so many people to get behind their local Hospice. This event will make such a difference to the care that we can give to our patients and their families’.
The next big Hospice fundraising event to take place is Pedal for Peace on Sunday 6th September. An online registration form will shortly be available on our website www.peacehospice.org.uk
News Update
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The Official Launch of the 2009 Starlight Walk at Watford Football Club on Saturday 14th March. Over 14,000 spectators attending the game, saw players come out of the tunnel, along with mascot, Harry the Hornet, kitted out in the new Watford coloured Starlight Walk shirts.
Starlight celebrity supporters, Martin and Shirlie Kemp were also in attendance at the game and were interviewed over the speakers in front of the home stand by Watford FC’s Richard Short.
The Official Launch of the 2009 Starlight Walk at Watford Football Club on Saturday 14th March. Over 14,000 spectators attending the game, saw players come out of the tunnel, along with mascot, Harry the Hornet, kitted out in the new Watford coloured Starlight Walk shirts. 