A volunteer has signed the ladies in her family up for Dr Kershaw's 'Virtual Hospice Walk' this June to raise much-needed funds for the hospice.
Margaret Wright, who will turn 80 later on this year, has been volunteering for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice since she retired 20 years ago.
At previous hospice events, Margaret has been on hand in her volunteer capacity to support with refreshments, but the launch of the hospice’s new virtual event has spurred her on to sign herself up along with five other female family members.
With almost 62 years between Margaret and her granddaughter, Chloe, the youngest participant at aged 18, the family will be stepping it up with their joint fundraising in support of the Royton-based hospice.
Family members taking part in the virtual walk include Margaret’s daughter, Chrissy Emerson, with her two children, Charlotte and Chloe Emerson, along with Margaret’s granddaughter Danielle Wright and her mum, Christine Scholes.
The popular physical Hospice to Hospice Walk has had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Dr Kershaw's was inundated with requests from supporters asking for ways in which they can recreate the fun atmosphere from the annual sponsored walk.
Taking place throughout the month of June, walkers will be able to take part with a route of 5km or more if they want to challenge themselves, with all ages being encouraged to join in, even four-legged friends!
"When I saw the ‘Virtual Hospice Walk’, I thought what a brilliant idea, we can pick the distance, where and when we walk whilst raising funds to support the ongoing care in the fantastic new build," said Margaret.
"We are making a day of it and having some food in the garden when we get back. The whole family has always supported Dr Kershaw’s because of my involvement and they were all keen to join in with this new challenge.
"We also thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have a joint birthday get together to celebrate my 80th and my granddaughter, Chloe’s 18th."
Despite having a knee replacement last October, Margaret is raring to go, with her and the family planning to walk 5km locally, with Hollingworth Lake being at the top of their list of walking locations currently.
Margaret’s granddaughter, Charlotte, 21, has been brought up with her grandma volunteering at Dr Kershaw’s.
She said: “I am so pleased to be doing the ‘Virtual Hospice Walk’ to raise money for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. We love walking, especially when we all walk together as a family, what makes it better is that we can do something we enjoy whilst raising money for such an amazing charity!
"Dr Kershaw’s helped my grandma so much when she lost her husband, my grandad, three years ago, and it’s just a small gesture that we can do this walk to raise funds to support the Hospice.”
For more information on Dr Kershaw’s ‘Virtual Hospice Walk’ or to sign up, visit www.drkh.org.uk/hospice-walk or call 0161 624 9984.
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