News

THE streets of Hertfordshire turned into a pink wonderland when more than 1,200 ladies stepped out from Hemel Hempstead School to walk a 6 or 12 mile route in the middle of the night, to raise cash for The Hospice of St Francis this weekend.

The women, who have pledged an estimated £190,000 so far, donned wigs, cowboy hats, pyjamas, boppers and even tutus to take part in the challenge, now in it’s third year.

Herts Mercury radio presenter Tank Montana kept walkers entertained with music and chat whilst Bianca Gascoigne, our local glamour model said a few words of encouragement to the walkers and set the walkers off.

Fran Martin, Event Manager, said: “It was fantastic to see such amazing support for the Hospice of St Francis and bring together everyone from St Albans, Harpenden, Hemel, Chesham, Amersham and Berkhamsted. We are so proud of them all. We must thank everyone who makes this event possible each year, to Hemel Hempstead School, to Pickworths Solicitors for our lovely T Shirts. There are too many to mention – but Thank you all, we couldn’t do this without you.”

Diana Rainback, whose son Ali died at the Hospice last year, led a team of 30 ladies, Ali’s Angels, from Harpenden and St Albans.

Mrs Rainback said: “It’s an incredibly emotional night for us. Ali died the day after Walk with the Stars last year and it is fitting that we are all here tonight to take part in this event, to raise money for the amazing work the Hospice do.”

Leading her team called OAS, also from St Albans, was Ros Bushi whose husband Ben died at the Hospice in January this year.

She said: “The care and support offered by the Hospice staff is genuinely inspiring and all of Ben’s visitors commented on the amazing atmosphere there.”

Fourteen ladies from Amersham called Ellie’s Angels, from Chesham, walked for a second year running after raising £2000 in 2008. This year they hope to raise more than £3000 in memory of team member Jan Davison’s aunt, Ellen.

Chesham ladies, The Guiding Stars, led by Daphne Clarke from Chesham, took part for the third year running.

A team of eight ladies from Hemel-based Pickworths Solicitors, who sponsored the event for the Hospice, joined in the fun.

Glenda Ferneyhough, senior partner, from Pickworths said: “After walking last year I was delighted that Pickworths was approached to help sponsor the Hospice for this event providing all the glamorous ladies with their pink t shirts for tonight. It’s been a pleasure and an honour as I know how much its work is needed in our area.”

Brave Lucy Parry, from Cheddington, who fractured her ankle in training for the walk, still decided to take part, doing the six mile route instead of 12.

Even the Hospice nurses put their best foot forward and dressed up for the walk.

Some ladies celebrated their birthdays walking for the Hospice including Maurece Rice from Berkhamsted and her team called Nights in White Trousers and Emma Christie, from Hemel Hempstead and her team called Emma’s Birthday Girls.

Women arrived at Hemel Hempstead School to take part in a warm up routine led by Shelley Dell from Hemel Hempstead Sportspace and after entertainment from Herts Mercury and a motivating speech by Jo Fernandes, the Practice Development Lead Nurse at St Francis Hospice, they all set off.

Specialist Cars Tring provided a brand new BMW X5 to take Bianca and Tank around the route to spur on the walkers who hours later, returned for massages, a medal, goody bag and well deserved refreshments.

The last to arrive back to Hemel Hempstead School were Mark Rabin and Andy Simmons, the tail end marshals, who were the only men on the walk and who raised more than £2,500 between them.  They dressed up for the occasion in their pink t shirts and pink skirts in memory of Angela Simmons who was cared for at the Hospice earlier this year. 

Each year the Hospice of St Francis receives a small amount of money from the NHS – but it’s only enough to support it for only two months. It needs £3.3m a year and without donations and fundraising events like Walk with the Stars it would not be possible to provide its care.

If you missed this event, why not join up for our next major fundraiser on 18th October and swing from the trees in a high wire, leaf top adventure course at Go Ape in Wendover Woods.

Anyone can join up for free – you just need to raise a minimum of £150 sponsorship all of which goes straight to the Hospice to help patient care.

For more information see www.stfrancis.org.uk