STRIDE TO HELP ST GILES ON NEW SUMMER SOLSTICE WALK
| Published: 24th April 2007 16:55 |
Women are signing up to secure their place at an exciting new night-time event in Lichfield.
The 10-mile Solstice Walk on the night of June 23rd/24th will see hundreds of women stride their way through the night and raise money for St Giles Hospice, which cares for local people with cancer and other serious illnesses.
Organisers have just opened the register for women wishing to take part - but with the number of places limited, people are advised to secure their place now.
Sarah Shelton, Community Fundraiser for St Giles Hospice, explained: "This brand new event for the hospice promises to be lots of fun and raise vital funds for the charity.
"We are encouraging women of all ages and levels of fitness to participate at a pace to suit them. St Giles chose this type of event because it empowers women to be able to go out after dark and walk through the streets safely.
"Although men won't be able to take part in the walk itself, we would like them to support it by acting as marshals to ensure the safety of participants, or help with refreshments."
Before the walkers set off on the night, balloons will be released into the sky and for a donation of £2, a personal message can be attached to a balloon.
Sarah continues: "This is a lovely way to remember someone special that is no longer with us and for people to be involved who cannot take part in the walk itself."
The event will start at 10pm on Saturday 23rd June at the Friary Grange Leisure Centre in Eastern Avenue, Lichfield.
The walk - two circuits of a six-mile route masterminded by 1st Sports Event - is non-competitive and open to women aged 16 and over.
Entry is £12 per walker with a substantial amount going to support the hospice.
Everyone who signs up will be sent a Solstice Walk sponsorship pack, which includes a map of the route, safety guidelines and details of how they can raise sponsorship money.
The Army Training Regiment in Lichfield is providing radio back-up and communications assistance on the evening, with local police and St John Ambulance offering additional support along the route.
Aqua Direct have provided ‘Chase' bottled water for all the walkers, while Friary Grange Sports and Leisure Centre is opening its facilities on the night.
Walkers can secure their place by calling the St Giles Fundraising Team on 01543 432538 or emailing sarah.shelton@st-giles-hospice.org.uk.
St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers.
Patients come from across the hospice's catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west - and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.
Care is offered at the hospice's facilities in Sutton Coldfield and Whittington near Lichfield, or in patients' own homes across the region.
The range of high-quality, specialist services are expensive to provide, and the hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising - of which initiatives such as the Solstice Walk play a major part.
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