Community unites to make hospice’s Midnight Walk a big success

Despite heavy rain and high winds, hundreds of event goers brought colour and excitement to the streets of Ipswich while taking part in St Elizabeth Hospice’s Midnight Walk 2021.

Returning for the fifteenth year, starting at Trinity Park the Midnight Walk saw supporters, of the independent Suffolk charity, completing walks of 10k distance between 7.30pm and 1am on 2^nd to 3^rd October as they brought the party atmosphere to the town.

Nearly 500 people took part in the Midnight Walk 2021 which so far has raised nearly £50,000 as donations continue to flood in.

The event also saw a return to supporters taking part in the Midnight Walk in person after restrictions concerning the Covid-19 pandemic saw the Midnight Walk 2020 held as a virtual event.

Becky Jedrzejewski, Events and Challenges Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “A fantastic time was had by everyone. Thank you to all who made the Midnight Walk 2021 happen, from supporters and hospice staff to all the walkers, you all made this possible.

“A special ‘thank you’ goes to our amazing volunteers. From setting up the event, marshalling, handing out water to walkers, performing and helping with registration, all while battling the weather! We cannot thank you enough.

“It was so lovely to host the Midnight Walk in its traditional format. Although the virtual walk last year was great fun, it is so much nicer to join alongside the community to bring colour and fun to Ipswich in aid of the hospice.”

Sponsored for the third consecutive year by Bluebell Mortgages, the Midnight Walk offered supporters a chance to party, dress up and raise funds for the hospice through sponsorship, as well as a opportunity to remember loved ones no longer with us.

With a special memory tree available at the hospice for supporters to leave messages to loved ones, while local singer Roma Manteiga-Nicholson performed a number of songs.

A video of the Midnight Walk 2021 can be found at the following link www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLHgh0akiBw.

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.