Last Sunday over 1,500 people took part in Heart of Kent Hospice’s annual Bluebell Walk. Now in its 32nd year, the record number of walkers left Harrietsham Village Hall to walk through some of Kent’s most picturesque countryside. The six-mile circular route took in the breathtaking North Downs, stunning fields of bluebells and enchanting woodland, as walkers experienced the Garden of England in all its glory.
Walking with friends and family in memory of loved ones, refreshments were kindly provided at the picturesque mile four picnic stop. This welcome break for walkers, and gesture of kindness by the Micallef family, is their way of saying thank you for the care their relatives received from the Hospice. Here walkers could remember their loved ones by writing a special message on a wind spinner, which they placed in the Field of Memories, creating a stunning and poignant display.
One walker reflected, “I loved the bluebell walk, the sunshine, the peacefulness and the bird song. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning, there is no better way to reflect and remember.” |
Back at the Village Hall, an army of bakers, one as young as 2 years old, had kindly donated delicious cakes, muffins, biscuits and savoury treats for walkers to enjoy. Erica Snow, Heart of Kent Hospice’s Community and Events Fundraising Manager said, “Thank you so much to the cake bakers, 58 volunteers and Hospice colleagues who helped sign the route, register walkers, marshall the route, park cars, sell the delicious treats and much more. We couldn’t run this incredible event, without you. A special thank you to our event sponsor CSIS, who have supported the Bluebell Walk for the second time.”
The Bluebell Walk is such a special way to remember loved ones and celebrate the care they receive from the Hospice, while raising funds to enable us to continue to provide outstanding care to the growing number of local people that need us now and in the future.”
Our next In Memory walk is our flagship Moonlit Walk on Saturday 11 October – for more details visit www.hokh.org/support-us/events/moonlit-walk
About the Hospice
Heart of Kent Hospice, established in 1991, provides compassionate end-of-life care for people facing the challenge of living with a terminal illness in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge, Malling and the surrounding areas.
The Hospice has built an excellent reputation within the local community for the quality of our care, which has been further endorsed by the Care Quality Commission who awarded us with an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ following an inspection in February 2017.
Our vision is for everyone living with a terminal illness in our community to achieve the best quality of life. We are committed to achieving this by enabling them to live in comfort, with independence and dignity to the end of their lives, and to support those closest to them.
Last year the Hospice cared over 1,500 patients and their families in their own homes or at our Aylesford-based Hospice. Our services cost £4million a year to run and we depend heavily on our loyal supporters, whose generous donations and fundraising activity account for £4 out of every £5 spent on our services.
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There are lots of ways people can support Heart of Kent Hospice. Find out more at https://www.hokh.org/support-us/
For more information, please contact Pippa Blythe, Communications Manager, Heart of Kent Hospice on 01622 790195 or email [email protected] and www.hokh.org