Sue Ryder thanks community for stepping out for the charity as part of Starlight Hike Your Way
Businesses, community groups and friends and family stepped out for Sue Ryder throughout October to take on the charity’s Starlight Hike Your Way challenge.
Each October, Sue Ryder Starlight Hike brings hundreds of people together for a walk under the stars to celebrate loved ones and raise money so more people can access the expert end-of-life care and support they deserve.
After two years of cancellations in the East of England due to severe weather, the charity is now actively searching for a new location for the much-loved in-person event.
In the meantime, this year, Sue Ryder invited the community to come together at a time, and on a date in October of their choice to remember those close to them and give back to the charity.
More than 100 people joined the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Your Way challenge, raising £9,000 so far with further donations still coming in.
Nicky Vickovic and Tania Dixon, a duo from Stamford, took on their own 10k walk around Rutland Water. They were inspired to take part after Nicky visited Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough last month.
Nicky, who is an end-of-life care trainer at Wright Care at Home, an independent home care provider, said: “We contacted Sue Ryder to ask if we could visit the Peterborough Sue Ryder hospice and learn more about the vital work that they do supporting people in their in-patient unit and out in the community.”
“Visiting the hospice was absolutely amazing. It was such a positive place. It is so important as part of my job to prepare our staff to support people living with a terminal illness, and to help them and their families prepare for what’s ahead.”
Nicky continues: “I loved the trip so much that I really wanted to do something to give back to the charity so decided to take on Starlight Hike Your Way near to where I work.”
As regular lunchtime walkers, Nicky and Tania laced up their trainers on 22 October, completing their walk for Sue Ryder and celebrating with a well-deserved lunch.
Tania added: “Rutland Water is such a pretty place, and we really enjoyed being able to choose where and when to walk so we could fit it around our work commitments. Nicky and I were buzzing to be able to help Sue Ryder, and we hope to make it an annual event for staff at Wright Care.”
Everyone who took part in Starlight Hike Your Way received a t-shirt and was rewarded with a special Sue Ryder medal.
Morgan Hicks, Regional Community Fundraiser for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Nicky and Tania, and to everyone who took part in Starlight Hike Your Way this year. It’s such a special opportunity to honour and celebrate someone important, while helping others receive expert care and support.
“Last year, Sue Ryder provided more than 655,000 hours of expert care, made possible thanks to supporters, including those who take part in our special Starlight Hike events.”
Inspired to take on a challenge for Sue Ryder? Find out more about how you can get involved at sueryder.org/events