Amazing night of Moonlight and Memories at annual sponsored walk

More than 700 people put their best foot forward in the St Catherine’s Hospice Moonlight and Memories Walk and have so far pledged nearly £65,000 in sponsorship to support the care of the charity.

A proud parade of purple wound its way around Preston by moonlight in either a 13.1 or 8.4 mile walk wearing T-shirts decorated with tributes to loved ones.

There was also a Memory Wall were walkers posted dedications to the special people in whose honour they were taking part.

Among those striding out on the night were Jackie Madden, Anne Atkinson and mum and daughter Joyce and Gemma Herdman.

Joyce and Gemma were walking for their husband/dad Nigel, who was cared for at St Catherine’s four years ago.
Joyce said: “When I heard about the walk I thought it would be a nice thing to do in his memory and a way of giving something back for the support we received from the CNS nurses at home and then also on the hospice in-patient unit.”
Jackie, Anne and Joyce were also taking part in memory of their friend Lorraine Hough who sadly died at the hospice just a few days after her 45th birthday.

Jackie said: “At St Catherine’s they looked after her so well and made her birthday so special.

“It’s an emotional night, but it’s lovely to be here and doing something so positive in tribute to Lorraine.”

Mum and daughter Lynsey Steele and Cara Smith – who at the age of just 10 was one of the youngest walkers – took part together.

“We wanted to be involved because my friend was looked after by the CNS nurses at home, and also to do something in memory of my auntie who died,” Lynsey said.

Cara, who took part in the 13.1 mile walk, said before she set off: “Even though my legs will be tired, I wanted to do something special for my great-auntie.”

Kate Walker, a 13-year-old pupil at Wellfield School in Leyland, had rounded up her mum Janet and friends Andrea Halliwell and Andrea Godkin to take part in the event in memory of her grandma.

“We’re doing the longer one so I will be sure to keep them all going!” she said.

“I thought it would be something nice to do for her, whilst raising money for a great cause.”

Paula Carlyon was taking part in the walk for the fifth time – and this year brought her 17-year-old daughter Sophie along for company.

She said: “It’s such great fun and there’s always a fantastic atmosphere which keeps you going. A friend of mine has been touched by hospice care and that has really inspired me further this year. I wanted to be part of and support something which does such important work in the local community.

“It’s lovely that Sophie has come along this year – it’s a nice thing for us to take part in together.”

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