A virtual walk down memory lane for Hospice

(L-R) Pictured here is Lizzie McCullough, Fundraising Officer, Gary Kelly of Kelly’s and Amy McKeown,
Fundraising Officer — (L-R) Pictured here is Lizzie McCullough, Fundraising Officer, Gary Kelly of Kelly’s and Amy McKeown, Fundraising Officer

Due to Covid-19 restrictions SAHS are unable to hold the event as the local community are traditionally used to. Instead, they are inviting folk in Banbridge to join their first ever Virtual Midnight Memory Walk, kindly sponsored once again by Kelly’s, Warrenpoint, to remember those who are special to them.

They are asking members of the community do their own memory walk on Saturday, October 3, at a time and distance of their own choice.

The event has been running for 12 years and last year alone the night raised over £22,000 much-needed funds to continue providing care for patients and their families.

Fundraising Officers Amy and Lizzie said: “Anyone can take part, wherever you live. We are especially thrilled to be

able to still offer this special event to our loyal supporters, many of whom take part year after year.

“Our ability to raise the funds we need to provide our essential care is being tested more than ever before due to our 2020 planned fundraising events being postponed or cancelled. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact us all and

disrupt the normal flow of everyday lives, our doors at Hospice have remained open and our staff continue to work

tirelessly to ensure our patients and their families can make the most of every single day.

“The money raised from our Midnight Memory Walk through sponsorship is vital for ensuring the Southern Area Hospice can keep caring for those who need our services the most, so we encourage as many people as possible to lace up and take a walk down memory lane for their local Hospice.”

Gary Kelly of Kelly’s, Warrenpoint, who continue to support this event for the sixth year said: “We are proud to be the

main sponsor for this amazing event.

“I don’t think there is any family which has not been touched by Cancer or terminal illness, including my own family.

“Even though Covid-19 may be restricting how this event takes place, the hospice is still providing a vitally important care service which needs to be supported through raising funds from this event.”

Registration is now open and we encourage you to sign up by visiting the website - www.eventbrite.com and searching ‘Virtual Midnight Memory Walk 2020’ or alternatively you can contact the Fundraising Office on (028) 3026 7711.

Theregistration is £5 per person and free for children under 14.

This year, the organisers are asking everyone to raise afurther minimum of £20 (discounts apply to groups and children).

Once registered you will receive a walker’s pack with everything you need to know about your virtual walk.

The fundraising team will be at hand to help you with every step and a special addition to this year’s pack is a own candle bag which you can personalize with the name of your loved one and place on your doorstep to guide you home from your walk.

--A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you