Midnight walkers make a splash for hospice care

15th July 2024

Weathering the storm at Midnight Walk

Weathering the storm together is at the heart of the compassionate care St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth offers patients and their families, and that was exactly the spirit embraced by the 1,100 warm-hearted supporters who strode out on the charity’s sellout Midnight Walk on Friday night.

Heavy rain showers and some spectacular puddles couldn’t deter the excited and emotional crowd from pounding the city’s streets in memory of much-missed friends and family members, raising vital funds for the end-of-life services St Luke’s provides in people’s own homes and its own inpatient unit.

Entrants gathered in the Fan Zone at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium from 7pm ready to take on the challenge of either the 13.1-mile, six-mile or three-mile routes, aimed at all ages and abilities.

On the backs of their official bright pink T-shirts, they had written the names of loved ones they would be thinking of during the evening, many of whom had received care from St Luke’s teams at the end of their lives. Many jazzed up their outfits with glow-in-the-dark make-up, cowboy hats, net skirts, flashing bunny ears, boas and headdresses, some adding photos of the loves ones they were honouring.

As several huge downpours drenched the city, they refused to let it rain on their parade. Volunteers handed out waterproof ponchos, while a team from Clubbercise kept the adrenalin flowing leading a lively musical warm-up routine.

Walking in memory

Jasmin Kennedy, tackling the 13.1 mile route with her friends Rachel Grimshaw and Emily Barker, was remembering her nan, Norma Northmore, who was cared for by St Luke’s at home before she died in April this year. They were proud to have raised more than £1,000 in sponsorship.

“St Luke’s were amazing,” said Jasmin. “Nan would not have been able to be at home, where she wanted to be, without their care.”

“It doesn’t matter that it’s raining, we’re ready for this,” said Sarah Kelly, who was walking with Joy Dodger, in memory of her friend, Maz, who died at St Luke’s just over a year ago. “It is actually quite emotional being here. I went to visit Maz at the hospice and she was wearing her bumble bee pyjamas and I have a bee tattoo for her on my leg, so she is walking here today with us.”

Plymouth comedian Suzy Bennett did a quick turnaround to be there after a stand-up gig in Kent the night before but was determined to honour the memory of the very dear members of her family that St Luke’s has looked after in recent years. Her friend, and fellow stand-up, Jane Hill raised more than £500 so was keeping her promise to wear flashing bunny ears.

“We’ve got our supplies for the evening – blister plasters, pepperami, jelly babies and energy gel!,” they declared.

Jess, Anna, Hannah and Zoe, from Callington, were remembering their friend Chloe Hunn, who fulfilled her wish to buy a special cuddle bed for the inpatient unit before she died at the hospice in 2018, aged only 22.

Jess said: “Raising money in Chloe’s name helps her legacy to live on. So much has been raised in her memory now. Seeing the impact of what fundraising does makes us want to do it even more.”

Jane from Plympton had just completed treatment for lung cancer and was setting off on the six-mile route with her sister Elise, and the help of a frame and an oxygen tank just in case she got out of puff. Elise also has COPD and arthritis.

“We’ll get there,” said Jane. “We’re walking in memory of everyone in our lives who has gone.

A whole gang of friends and family teamed up for the event in memory of Linda Jacobs, who died 10 years ago at the hospice. Lisa, Nicola, Sue and Felicia, who all worked with Linda at High View School in Efford, were joined by Linda’s daughter Elizabeth – with a leprechaun costume over her T-shirt!

“Mum was cared for so well. Nothing was too much trouble. She was so calm when she was at the hospice. We were expecting it to be like a hospital, but it was nothing like that. It was a home from home. She could have her dog in to cuddle with her each day,” said Elizabeth.

“I’m wearing the costume because my mum’s dream was to go to Ireland for her 50th birthday, but she fell ill and it wasn’t possible, so we had a great Irish-themed party for her at the hospice.”

Clear skies and good moods

Despite the showers, the mood was upbeat throughout and by the time the last walkers left Home Park as darkness began to fall, the skies were clearing.

All entrants marched up Outland Road on the first leg to Manadon roundabout. Some turned around there, retracing their steps to complete the shortest, family-friendly route, while others continued up to Derriford, doubling back for the six-mile challenge.

Around half opted for the longest and most demanding circular route, the equivalent of a half marathon, continuing via Eggbuckland to Marsh Mills, along the Embankment and through the city centre, before returning triumphant to Home Park to collect their medals.

Thank you

St Luke’s head of fundraising Penny Hannah said: “Our walkers were absolutely fantastic and so positive. Those huge downpours weren’t going to spoil their parade and there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie. I felt incredibly proud and humbled to see them all striding out through the puddles to support St Luke’s and remember the loved ones they miss so much.

“I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to every single one of them, as well as to our kind sponsors Michael Spiers, all St Luke’s selfless staff and volunteers, to Plymouth Argyle for once again hosting the evening, and everyone else who made the event such a success.

“The money and awareness Midnight Walk raises in the city is so important for the future of St Luke’s as we continue to offer our end-of-life care and support, free of charge, where and when people need it most.”

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