Suzanne to celebrate hen do at Moonlight and Memories Walk

A bride-to-be who is set to tie the knot to her high school sweetheart later this year will celebrate her Hen Do with more than 40 friends, family and colleagues at the extra special 30th anniversary Moonlight and Memories Walk in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice.

Suzanne McGarry wanted to do something to support her local hospice after her fiancé Rob’s auntie was cared for at Ashgate Hospice in Cheshire, and she saw first-hand the important work they do. She was inspired to use her hen night to raise funds after seeing a group taking part in a ‘Hen Run’ at the Great North Run a few years ago.

Fitness fanatic Suzanne laughed: “My friends moaned saying ‘will we have to do that for you one day? I thought asking people to run a half marathon was a bit much! But an eight-mile walk is achievable for everyone.

“It’s going to be such good fun – bringing everyone together to celebrate, have some fun and do something worthwhile for such an important local charity.”

In honour of the charity’s special anniversary, for the first time this year the Moonlight and Memories Walk on Saturday June 6 will start and finish from the hospice in Lostock Hall. There is also a 16-mile route which – at three miles longer than previous years – includes an extra mile for each decade the hospice has been open.

Walkers are invited to stride out in memory of someone special, whilst raising vital funds to support the hospice which relies on local support to raise £3.7m of its £5m annual running costs.

Suzanne and Rob, who have been together since Year 10 at All Hallows School in Penwortham – where she now works as a maths teacher – are due to get married on December 29th, two years to the day since they got engaged in New York.

Suzanne said: “That Christmas there were a few little presents one wrapped up inside the other – first a scarf, then some gloves. I had it in my mind that he was taking me to the Lake District or somewhere like that. Then when I got to the final box and opened it up there was a big apple!

“We flew out on Boxing Day and then a few days later he proposed in Central Park. It was absolutely amazing!”

The wedding will take place at St Gerard’s Church in Lostock Hall followed by a reception at Preston Golf Club.

Suzanne, aged 26 and from Lostock Hall, said: “I’m really excited and can’t wait for the Big Day and also for the hen do. We’re going to get together earlier on and have dinner together, before coming over to the hospice to join in the fun and get in the mood at the group work out. I’m sure there’ll be some funny accessories for me to wear courtesy of my lovely bridesmaids!

“Before Rob’s auntie Lucy was looked after at a hospice I didn’t realise how much they rely on fundraising and how much they need local people to get behind them.

“I’m really happy to be able to use my hen night to help. Besides, all my friends know this is more my thing than trekking around the pubs!”

Norman Cutler, senior fundraiser at St Catherine’s Hospice, encouraged others to join in the fun at this special event.

He said: “One of the gifts in our 30th anniversary Give A Gift campaign is to have 1,000 people taking part in this year’s walk. So whether you’ve taken part in the past or are a new recruit this year, we’d love it if you signed up to show your support.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to come together, celebrate our birthday and the memory of those special people who have been part of our lives, and raise vital funds to support the work of St Catherine’s.”

To join Suzanne and her hens at the Moonlight and Memories Walk on Saturday June 6 click here or call 01772 629171. Registration is £16 for adults and £10 for children.

To sponsor Suzanne click here.

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