TV Presenter and local resident Zoe Ball has joined the team promoting this year’s Midnight Walk. Zoe is lending her voice to the campaign to encourage the ladies of Brighton & Hove to join with hundreds of other women and take to the streets, at midnight on 14th June, to raise money for the Hospice. Now in its seventh year, the Midnight Walk is the Martlets Hospice’s biggest annual fundraising event and the organisers hope that this year’s walk brings the total sponsorship raised to over a million pounds.
Zoe explains why she is keen to support the walk:
"I
had heard about the Martlets but it was only when my dear stepfather Rick was
diagnosed with MND last year that I witnessed firsthand the importance of the
wonderful work done by all the staff there. Sadly Rick passed away in December
and we miss him dreadfully. I can’t express enough gratitude to all the
marvellous doctors, nurses and support staff at the Martlets; their care for
Rick was incredible and they provided our family with the thoughtful loving and
supportive care we needed. The work they do is so important and I wouldn't
hesitate to lend my wholehearted support to their fundraising to help other
families in their hour of need. Thank you Martlets and let's raise as much as
we can!”
Although, many women do
the walk because they have a personal connection to the Hospice, others get
involved to enjoy a night out with friends, or, for a personal challenge. Vera
Jeffery, 67, from Newhaven, has done the walk every year and would not miss it.
Attempting the walk for the first time is Imogen Smith, 14, from Rottingdean.
Speaking about why she’s doing it, she said: “My Mum has walked before and I
now feel old enough to do it with her to support a local charity.” The
Martlets needs to raise £8,000 per day to run its services and the sponsorship
money raised will go to fund the work of the Hospice’s specialist nurses.
In a change from previous years, this year
participants can choose whether to do a 6 mile or a 13 mile walk. Walkers do
not need to be super fit; they just need sensible footwear and a sense of
adventure! Both walks start at midnight from Brighton Racecourse
and snake through the streets of Brighton & Hove. Marshals will be on hand
around the course to ensure no one gets lost and the walk ends with a tasty
breakfast.
All walkers will be asked to raise a minimum of £25 in
sponsorship and anyone who achieves over £120 in sponsorship will automatically
be entered into a prize draw to win a treat at the Thistle Hotel.
To enter go to www.themartletshospice.co.uk , pick up a form at any Martlets
shop or call the Fundraising Department on 01273 747455.
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