Dorothy House fundraising Memory Walk

FAMILIES and friends will be remembering their loved ones at the third Dorothy House Hospice Care Dusk Memory Walk, which this year takes place on Saturday 3rd May. 

The fundraising event, which starts and finishes at the hospice in Winsley, takes walkers on a 5km circular ramble through the Wiltshire countryside, ending with the lighting of candles and placing of messages in the beautiful grounds of Dorothy House.

Among the walkers this year will be friends and family of Carl John (CJ) Wheeler, who died at Dorothy House in May 2013, at the age of 22, just three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. CJ’s mum, Juliet Millard, who lives in Peasedown St John, will be taking part in the walk with close family members, as well as many of CJ’s friends.

Juliet said, “There will be quite a big group of us walking – including my daughter, husband and mum. We’re so grateful for the care CJ received at the hospice in the last week of his life, and also for the support Dorothy House gave to all of us. You don’t realise how amazing the charity is until you need them. Dorothy House made a huge difference to us at a very difficult time.

“We have set up a Dorothy House Tulip Fund in CJ’s memory and have already raised more than £15,000.”

The walk, which starts at 7.00pm, is open to people of all ages – and you can even bring the dog along. Dorothy House fundraiser Emily Knight said, “The Dusk Memory Walk is becoming more popular each year – it’s a lovely, peaceful event, which anyone can take part in. It’s not a challenging route, but some of it is over fields, so good footwear is strongly advised!

“It is a fundraising walk, and although we don’t ask for a minimum sponsorship, we do encourage everyone to raise as much as they possibly can. But if people are really struggling to find sponsors, they can make an individual donation instead – just speak to one of the fundraising team.”

If you would like to sign up for the Dusk Memory Walk, call Emily Knight on 01225 721480 or email: emily.knight@dorothyhouse-hospice.org