St. Michael’s celebrates 30 years with 90’s Moonlight Walk
St. Michael’s Hospice’s annual Moonlight Walk is to set to take place on September 24th starting from Festival Place at 9pm. In recognition of the Hospice’s 30th Anniversary, the theme this year will be the 90’s and walkers are encouraged to dress up to celebrate the occasion.
“In the last few years our supporters have had lots of fun following our themes, going out in everything from 80’s neon, Batman and Robin driving Del Boy and Rodney’s car, to teams of matching onesies. It is such a great night, and we can’t wait to see the outfits this year,” Lorraine Pink, Director of Income Generation said.
As well as having lots of fun, the walkers help raise vital income for the Hospice. As a local charity, around 84% of its funds comes from the generosity of the local community. To put it another way, over eight in ten patients are cared for thanks to supporters fundraising for the Hospice.
“We’re now in our 30th year of providing care for the people of North Hampshire and in that time, the world has changed so much. These days, we’re seeing more patients with increasingly complex symptoms,” said Phillipa Aslet, Director of Nursing. “It is vital that we are there to support them.”
The number of walkers taking part last year was lower due to the pandemic but in the past the event has raised over £32,000, enough to cover seven months of pain relief medication for patients being treated by the Hospice. This year the Hospice is hoping a record number of people will take part to show their support for this wonderful charity.
For 2022 there is a brand-new 10K route around Basingstoke. Entry is just £20 for adults, £15 for under 18s with under 10s going free. Everyone that takes part will also be entered into a free prize draw! To sign up, visit the website www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk or call 01256 848848.
About St. Michael’s Hospice
St. Michael’s Hospice is a provider of the highest quality and standard of specialist palliative care for patients in North Hampshire. Through specialist skills and knowledge St. Michael’s Hospice works with patients affected by life-limiting illness to ensure they are able to live life to the fullest. The Hospice provides In-Patient and Hospice at Home services as well as a growing range of Out-Patient services including the Therapeutic Clinic, Complementary Therapy and Medical Consultation. Family and carer support is also a significant part of the work at the Hospice. All Hospice services are provided to patients and their families free of charge.
St. Michael’s Hospice is a UK registered charity and has an annual operating cost of around £5.8 million of which the Hospice receives around 16% through the NHS and the remaining £4.8 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising, legacies and its shops, St. Michael’s very much rely on the generosity of our local community to sustain its services.