St Catherine’s Hospice needs Midnight Walk volunteers
With only two weeks until the big night, nearly 900 people have already signed up for our Midnight Walk sponsored by Gatwick Airport.
Now, we’re appealing for others in the community to volunteer to make the walk a night to remember.
Taking place on Saturday 8 June in Horsham, our walk relies on volunteers to support walkers as they make their steps count to raise funds for our hospice.
Volunteers are crucial to the evening. And with a range of volunteering roles available, from registering walkers to handing out sweets, or giving walkers their finish line medal, there’s something for everyone.
One person who has already volunteered his time is Chris Jennings from Horsham. This year will be his tenth year volunteering at the Midnight Walk as a route marshal. Here, he shares why he swaps sleeping for supporting walkers on the streets.
“My first wife, Katy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, a couple of years after we thought she was in remission her cancer returned. And it had spread to her spine, brain and liver. It was a big blow, especially as we had a young son, Adam.
Katy decided that she’d like some counselling from St Catherine’s to help her get through the trauma. And St Catherine’s became part of our lives when they arranged a weekly home visit with one of their counsellors. Katy found counselling a great help and we were all very grateful for the hospice’s assistance.
Sadly, Katy passed away in 2008 at the age of 42, leaving myself and Adam who was only 14 at the time.
A little while later, we heard about the Midnight Walk and the need for volunteers. Living in Horsham, we know the streets really well, so we decided that we should pay back all the kindness and time that St Catherine’s had given to Katy, and all the other people who they help, and offered to be stewards. How hard could it be? We thought. It’s such a small effort to stand on a street corner and help others to achieve their goals, in comparison to all the strength and willpower needed to undergo cancer treatment.
We found it a complete inspiration to encourage walkers on and I’ve not missed a Midnight Walk since 2009. I can’t wait to get out on route again!”
Louise Wise, Events Fundraiser at St Catherine’s said: “By volunteering your time you’ll be inspiring our supporters and helping make sure we can be there to support more local terminally ill people when it’s needed most. We hope you’ll join us on Saturday 8 June!”
If you, or someone you know, would like to volunteer at this year’s Midnight Walk, please call Rose Wood in our Events Team as soon as possible on 01293 447355. For more details on the Midnight Walk please click here
