23/05/12...Thame business woman's invitation to join her on 'Midnight Walk' -
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DEAR Editor, I will be walking 13 miles on Saturday, July 14, in the third Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Midnight Walk. This year, walkers can choose from either a six-mile or half marathon challenge (new for 2012), to really encourage ladies to go the extra mile in celebration of the forthcoming Olympics.
Last year, I walked alongside 570 women - all pounding the streets of Aylesbury, pink flashing bunny ears in tow. Since the event started back in 2010 it has raised a staggering £120,000 which is the equivalent of funding the Florrie’s Children’s Hospice At Home Team for a whole year!
So, once again I’m encouraging local ladies to sign up and get involved. It’s a night of fun and laughter, coupled with a few aches and pains, but I can honestly say it’s well worth it! You meet new friends along the way and the atmosphere and camaraderie on the night is truly amazing.
Dotted along the route are volunteer marshals who really help spur you on when the going gets tough – they even lie by telling you there’s only a mile to go when there’s usually five - all part of the fun.
Jaffa Cakes and jelly babies are the energy-boosting goodies along the route, which I can tell you from experience, are most welcomed at around eight miles!
By taking part in this event, you are helping to support a very local cause which helps support many families affected by life-limiting illness. The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity helps fund a 12-bedded in-patient unit and Day Hospice based at Stoke Mandeville, Florrie’s Children’s Team, a Lymphoedema Clinic, Specialist Community Nursing teams and most recently, the Charity has launched a new Nightingale 24/7 Team, which will provide 24-hour care, seven days a week, to patients at end of life, giving them the choice to stay in their own home and receive care should they wish to.
Some of you reading this may already have had contact with the Florence Nightingale Hospice, and will know the dedication of the whole team is immeasurable. So why not sign up for the Midnight Walk today and ‘Go the extra mile’ in support of your local Hospice? Your support can make a huge difference.
Thank you
Yvette Cundy, Owner Kismet Jewellers, Thame.
For information about the Florence Nightingale Midnight Walk visit www.gemstonewalk.co.uk
