Hundreds do Chichester St Wilfrid’s Hospice moonlight walk

Claudia Smith and Caz Martin prepare for the St Wilfrid's Hospice Moonlight Walk

A WALK in the moonlight was just the ticket to raise much-needed funds for St Wilfrid’s Hospice last night (May 9).

Hundreds gathered at the Westgate Leisure Centre, in Chichester, ready to set off for either a five-mile or ten-mile walk through the dark city from 10pm-midnight.

Many were walking in memory of those they had lost, such as Caz Martin, from Bognor Regis, and Claudia Smith, from Pagham.

“My mum died of cancer ten years ago in the hospice and my friend Vicky just died two weeks ago,” said 32-year-old Claudia. “I’m walking for them.”

“My mum was nursed at home but then it got too much so the lovely hospice took her in.”

She described the ‘amazing nurses’ at St Wilfrid’s.

“I was in labour when my mum died,” said Claudia.

“The nurses were really nice. They said I could give birth at the hospice if I wanted.”

Paul Senior, Josh Senior and Colin Rickman from Selsey Lions Club

Her friend Caz is one of the nurses at the hospice and did the walk this year and last year in memory of her grandad.

“We were so looked after,” said Caz. “That wasn’t because I was staff, the whole family couldn’t fault their care. We’re doing this to say thank you back to them.

“It’s a really nice way to raise some much-needed funds to extend our care.”

So far she had raised £500. Last year was the first year she had done the moonlight walk in memory of her grandad.

“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “The support was amazing. Everyone chivvies everyone along. I think whether you walk in a group or turn up on your own you always help each other through it.”