Hospiscare Men’s Walk raises a record breaking £40,000!

In March this year, Hospiscare was delighted to welcome the Men’s Walk 2017 `sell-out` crowd to Double Locks. The 650 men and boys walked eight miles in fine weather along the canal path to the Turf Hotel and back to enjoy a pint, a Chunk pasty and watch England beat Scotland to retain the Calcutta Cup – and they have raised an amazing £40,000 for Hospiscare!

One of the walkers, Jack Carter, said, ‘I walked in memory of my wife, Jan, who was looked after by Hospiscare, but I worried about raising sponsorship as I thought I had no one to ask. Then I jotted down the names of family, friends and work colleagues, said “please, will you sponsor me?” and before I knew it I had raised £1,050. I felt proud to raise so much money for my wonderful wife – it’s a very, very good cause. Not only that, I somehow teamed up with another walker who was about my age, so I made a friend on the day too!’ 

Men’s Walk sponsorship money continues to be paid in, and last week a reminder was sent to all the walkers telling them that the charity was only £131.82 from raising £40,000 from the event. The next day, a walker called Adrian Jackman telephoned in - he had collected £127 in sponsorship and Sophie, his 11 year old daughter, wanted to add her £5 pocket money, just so the event would hit £40K. What a lovely gesture, thank you Sophie!

Event fundraiser, Sharon Ewart said, ‘There was a fantastic atmosphere on the day. It’s a very popular event where the vast majority of the men, many of whom have been touched by Hospiscare`s services, return year on year to support us. Huge thanks to Jack, Adrian, Sophie and all the other walkers who helped achieve this record amount, we are so very grateful to you all. If any walkers still have sponsorship to pay across, the fundraising team would be delighted to hear from you!’

Hospiscare also sends a huge thank you to Wilkinson Grant, who kindly sponsored the Men`s Walk again this year, and the more than eighty wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers who made this event possible by helping in the event arena or marshalling along the route.

Hospiscare is a local charity, providing free, high quality care and support to people with a progressive life-limiting illness, and those close to them in Exeter, East and Mid Devon.