In just under three weeks’ time, people will step out for a very special walk under the stars to celebrate the lives of loved ones and raise vital funds for their local hospice.
Starlight Hike – Worth Valley, sponsored by Stirk Lambert & Co Accountants, will see people come together for a 10k walk on Saturday 9 October in support of Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, near Keighley.
Walkers will board the Starlight Express train at Oxenhope Railway Station and will be transported to the start of the walk. This will be followed by a 10k route around the surrounding villages of the hospice, with the opportunity to pass through the tranquil hospice grounds including a trip through Starlight Avenue – an area of quiet reflection.
One of the walkers preparing to lace up her trainers is 55-year-old Miki Mitchell from Wilsden who will be walking with a group of friends and family to remember her husband, Chris, who received care from Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice before he died in 2018.
Miki, who now works as a Community Fundraiser for the hospice, is sharing her story in the hope of inspiring others to join the charity event.
“This October marks three years since Chris passed away, and we wanted to take part in Starlight Hike – Worth Valley to help the hospice because of all of the incredible support they gave us as a family,” said Miki.
“Manorlands helped Chris through his terminal diagnosis and palliative care and they were with us every step of the way. They enabled him to pass away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, which is what he wanted, and helped me to be able to move forward.
“The nurses always go above and beyond and one thing they suggested before Chris died was to record his voice. It’s something I would never have done, but I’m so glad I did. I have a recording of him which my daughter put in a Build-a-Bear and I listen to it before I go to bed each night. They also arranged for his favourite jumpers to be made into cushions for all of us and his ties into elephants. That’s something Sue Ryder made happen and those little things mean so much.
I have such an affinity with Manorlands and really nice memories of people helping us. I’m looking forward to getting together with my friends and family to walk under the stars and talk about happy memories of Chris.”
Hayley Ibbotson, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to Miki and her family and friends for their kind support. There’s still time to join them and sign up for our Starlight Hike – Worth Valley on Saturday 9 October. It promises to be a really special opportunity to come together to celebrate and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
“The funds raised will enable our doctors, nurses and staff to continue to provide compassionate and expert care and help us fill someone’s last days with love.”
Sign up now for Starlight Hike – Worth Valley at sueryder.org/manorlandshike
You can contact the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice fundraising team with any queries by emailing manorlands.fundraising@sueryder.org or calling 01535 640430.
Standard entry tickets are £18 for adults and £9 for under 16s.
