Elizabeth Turvey has a long history with the Weston seafront. Starting when she was a young girl, Elizabeth and her family enjoyed many family outings to the beach. But now, she will be returning to the beach for one last walk in memory of her mum Dorothy Taviner, who was cared for by Weston Hospicecare in her last two weeks of life, both at home and in the hospice itself.
‘The Midnight Beach Walk offers the perfect opportunity to raise funds for Weston Hospicecare while also taking the opportunity to remember my mum,’ said Elizabeth.
Weston Hospicecare’s Midnight Beach Walk, which is set to take place on September 30th at Weston beach, is a ladies-only sponsored 5K that gives participants the opportunity to walk in memory of a loved one or to just the chance to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the walk with a group of friends.
In spite of being held in the middle of the night, this event is highly regarded for its light and uplifting nature. By encouraging participants to raise sponsorship and to be a light in the dark for hundreds of local people, the Midnight Beach Walk has a lasting impact – which is apt, considering the event slogan is ‘They shine on.’
‘Weston Hospicecare is a special place with dedicated nurses, doctors and volunteers who cared for my Mum in her last two weeks of life,’ Elizabeth said. ‘She was diagnosed with terminal cancer last Autumn, and the hospice was a place of kindness, advice and refuge. At the start of her illness, she was visited at home by the caring staff, and when she was admitted in March, she said that she was very happy and was a very lucky lady.’
The hospice provides free, high-quality palliative care to local people affected by life-limiting illnesses, but to do so, we have to raise more than £3.22 million each year. Events like the Midnight Beach Walk are one of the essential ways we raise the profile of the hospice and raise funds. With event sponsors The Grand Pier on board once again, the event is set to be a great night in aid of a great cause.
‘Mum loved the beach at Weston and we spent many happy family outings walking along the sea front, through the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and into this century,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I decided to take part in one last walk in memory of my brave lovely Mum. The Midnight Beach Walk has been organised by Weston Hospicecare to raise money for the vital care they provide, and it seemed a lovely way to remember the happy times my mum and I spent together.’
Like last year, the walk itself will start at midnight, and participants will be invited to gather beforehand to enjoy live music, purchase glowy merchandise, personalise a candle bag and enjoy the evening.
‘The whole evening is a really special event in the calendar for Weston Hospicecare,’ said Kelsey Dehaney, event fundraiser for Weston Hospicecare. ‘We welcome all women to join us as we light up the dark for hundreds of local people.’
To sign up, or for more information, please visit www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/midnight or call 01934 423 960.