Walk for hospice in memory of loved ones
MORE than 600 people from near and far have raised what is expected to be a record-breaking sum by walking in memory of their loved ones.
The North West Hospice Memorial Walk, which is held every year, took place on Sunday with people getting involved across Sligo, the North West, the rest of Ireland and the rest of the world.
The walk is usually held at Sligo town’s Doorly Park, but social distancing restrictions meant that walks took place in convenient and special locations close to the home of participants.
Berandette McGarvey, head of communications with North West Hospice, said they were blown away by the level of support received this year.
She said: “We had people walking throughout the catchment area, other counties and in places like Minnesota, New York and across the UK.
“It was amazing to see people representing the North West Hospice from all corners of the world and wearing our T-shirts. We would normally come together to hold a walk at Doorly Park to remember those we have lost, but that couldn’t happen again due to Covid-19, so we encouraged everyone to walk in areas that hold special memories for them.” While the traditional walk could not take place again this year, Bernadette said that holding an event to celebrate the lives of all who have come through the doors of the hospice was important – especially for those who lost a loved one in the past year.
“We took care of more than 700 people since the start of the pandemic alone. The memorial walk is the opportunity to remember them, celebrate their life and it is also a very important fundraiser for the hospice which helps us to provide that service for more people. We felt after a year of huge loss for many it would be important to put this on and we are thrilled that so many people took part.”
While a total figure has yet to be confirmed, Bernadette said that all signs point towards a remarkable sum of at least €40,000 in much-needed funds. She said: “We don’t know what the total figure is yet but it is looking to be somewhere between €40,000 and €50,000 which would be the most this event has ever raised. People have just been amazing, they have rallied for us and they rallied for a hospice which belongs to the community.”
It is hoped that the traditional walk will take place again in 2022, but there is an expectation now that the main walk and individual walks will take place side by side going forward, providing an option for the vast Sligo diaspora who wish to walk in memory of a loved one and raise money for the hospice from further afield.
“Covid-19 decimated fundraising. So many of our fundraisers cannot happen so we had to regroup and rethink how we do things. Going forward this will also probably be a different event. “Next year we will hopefully be in a position to hold a big walk together again, but I think there will also be a lot of people doing their own walks in places that hold special memories of those loved ones we have lost.”