Hundreds of Sunset Walkers take to Bury St Edmunds’ streets to raise vital funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care and remember their loved ones
A hospice has thanked the more than 800 people who took part in its town walking event last night, raising vital funds in the process.
St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Sunset Walk, which started and ended at the Abbey Gardens, in Bury St Edmunds, took participants around the town on 10km and 15km routes.
Walkers donned their white ‘Sunset Walk’ adorned shirts and took in the party atmosphere before they set off, having been warmed up with a quick Zumba session.
Shane Egerton, of Newmarket, was one of this year’s participants alongside friends Bill and Pam Farley, from Yorkshire.
His partner of 29 years, Susan Burns, passed away in April. They all benefitted hugely from the hospice.
Shane said: “The hospice was able to let my dog sit with her for the week. They were brilliant, really brilliant.
“Their work is so important, they give people the dignity they deserve and I think they (the hospice) should get more than they do. They just work so hard.”
The hospice also put up Pam for the week so she could be with Susan.
Richard Badger, of Swaffham, took on the walk this year with his family and raised £100.
His mum, Sylvia, passed away at the hospice in December. “Without the hospice, they never get the dignity they deserve,” Richard said.
“And here, at the walk, we’ve all got something in common, we’ve all got that loss.”
Helen Seeley and Rachel Sallis chatted with Adrienne Jackson, who is the assistant to the hospice’s chief executive, before the walk.
Helen said: “I just want to support the hospice for all the good work they do. Thank goodness I’ve never had to use them but they do a really good job.
“I did Girls Night Out a few times, but it was just girls. This is more inclusive.
Rachel said: “I’m doing it for the fun of it. It’s just such a fun night and a chance to support a good cause, something really great to be a part of.
“It’s good men and kids can get involved now as well, as it’s such a good laugh.”
Adrienne said, while the event is vital for raising funds to run the hospice, it is also very important to raise awareness of its services and keep it at the forefront of the public’s minds.
She said: “People have their own individual reasons for walking, but it’s also great for awareness. We started this last year and we had 1,000 people which was great.
“The good thing is it’s open to everyone – men, women, families and children. We have a really good community atmosphere here and you get that walking around as well.”
Michelle Churchlow, of Castle Hedingham, was another of the participants alongside her friends.
Of taking part, she said: “We just want to support and raise money for charity. Any opportunity you get to raise money for people not as lucky as you.
“It’s a cause we’ll all need in the future, everyone will be touched by it at some point in their lives.”
Around 850 walkers took part this year.
Before the event, representatives from the Stowmarket Lions gave a £1,000 cheque to Charlie De-Moore, events manager at St Nicholas Hospice Care, to go towards the funds raised by the walk.
She said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better evening. The weather was perfect, the energy was uplifting, and the support from our community was incredible.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, volunteered, marshalled routes, donated or cheered our walkers on.”
At the finish line, walkers were welcomed back with a well-deserved donut, drink, and a commemorative medal to mark their achievement.
