HUNDREDS of people walked across Winchester in the dark to raise money for the city’s only hospice.
Winchester Hospice organised its first Purple Night Walk, raising nearly £4,000 from ticket and merchandise sales to help fund the palliative and end of life care service.
Following the success of the sell-out inaugural event, organisers have decided to make it an annual fundraiser.
Walkers, dressed in purple clothing, accessories and lights, trekked a 6km loop from All Saints Church in Highcliffe, on Saturday, October 14, passing Winchester landmarks like the Hospital of St Cross, Hockley Viaduct and the River Itchen.
READ MORE: Winchester Hospice's first Purple Night Walk to see hundreds take part
Spirits were kept up with a surprise performance from choir Winchester Sings part way through, with upbeat tunes such as Dancing in the Moonlight.
Anna Hayne and Vanessa Cole’s friend Michelle was looked after by the hospice before she died while only in her 50s earlier this year.
Anna, from Colden Common, said: “We lost a very good friend to cancer. We thought this walk was the least we could do to support the hospice and to walk in her memory.
“She would love. She loves us dressing up and we used to always go out and do things so she is absolutely part of this.”
Maddy Thomson, consultant nurse and clinical lead for end-of-life care at Winchester Hospice and trustee for Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, said: “This is one of many fundraising events but this is the first time we’ve ever done something as large as this for the whole community.
“This will enable us to provide a service that is absolutely essential for our population and we don’t just want to provide it we want to grow it so this service can get bigger and better.”
Stephen Lock was taking part with his wife, Rachel who’s a sister at the hospice, and their dog.
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Mr Lock, from Alresford, said: “We’re very excited to be here and hopefully we’re going to raise lots of money for the hospice.
“We wanted to support Rachel’s work and all the great things they do there. For our community it’s an amazing facility – something that we’ve not had in Winchester before.
“It’s only been open two years but it’s going really well and I know the care they provide is first class.
Mrs Lock said: “It’s really important our patients feel safe and cared for and we also look after all the relatives and their family and their pets. Everyone feels safe and well looked after.
“I definitely got dressed up for the occasion – I don’t often go out in my purple tutu but I really wanted to support them. It’s a really special place and an important part of my life.”
For more information go to winchesterhospice.com/.
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