Step out for Springhill Hospice this summer

Springhill Hospice is inviting people to put on their walking shoes for two unique sponsored events this summer.

The first event, the ‘Hospice to Hospice Walk’ is being held in conjunction with Dr Keshaw’s Hospice in Royton and follows last year’s very successful ‘Hospice to Hospice World Cup Walk’, which raised over £9,000 for the two organisations.

Taking place on Sunday 24 June 2007, the walk leaves Springhill Hospice at 10:30am and participants will make their way over Summit, through Royton town centre to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice on Turf Lane for half-way refreshments. The route then continues up Shaw Road, through High Crompton returning to Springhill Hospice over Burnedge.

Ian Jenkins, Fundraising Manager for Springhill Hospice, says: “Along with our colleagues from Dr Kershaw’s we launched this new event last year to tie-in with the World Cup, and it proved so popular that both hospices decided to have another joint sponsored walk this year. The event is open to absolutely anybody who feels up to the 7-mile circular route. Last year we had mums pushing buggies and children walking dogs, all raising vital funds - a great day!”

Sponsor forms for the ‘Hospice to Hospice Walk’ are available from Ian Jenkins at springhill.fundraising@zen.co.uk or on 01706 711144.

The second event aimed at helping to meet the £5,000 per day running costs of Springhill Hospice, is a ladies-only half-marathon sponsored walk that takes in Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale – starting at midnight!

The ‘Springhill Hospice Midnight Walk’ is to be held as part of the annual MiddFest event, organised by Middleton Round Table, and will commence at midnight on Saturday 21 July 2007.

Walkers will leave Lime Field Leisure Park in Middleton and head through Rhodes, Bowlee, Birch, Hopwood and Heywood before clocking in at the half-way point at Springfield Park. After a brief stop the walkers will go through Sudden, Castleton and Slattocks before the final straight down to Middleton, ending the walk back at Lime Field – a total of just over 13 miles.

Mr Jenkins said: “We are looking to this event to be one of the major fundraisers in our calendar this year and would urge ladies to take up the challenge! Rich Ainley, Fitness Instructor at Fitness First, Sandbrook Park, has put together a training regime which will be sent to all ladies who register, so don’t fear if you think you’re not fit enough yet – you will be! And the event is not only looking for ladies to participate, as if there are any ‘other-halves’ who wish to offer their time as stewards for the night, we are very happy for them to do so.”

Interested parties should request a registration form from Springhill Hospice Fundraising Office at springhill.fundraising@zen.co.uk or on 01706 711144.