Lighting up the night sky in honour of loved ones

City Hospice is encouraging people to light up the night sky for their loved ones by joining their annual Sparkle Walk, raising funds for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

City Hospice’s Sparkle Walk will return for its third year on September 23 and features a 10km walk from Cardiff’s Insole Court to City Hospice in Whitchurch and back. For the second consecutive year, Dario Security will be the headline sponsor.

Funds raised will support City Hospice, the only at home palliative care provider for the Welsh capital. The charity provides specialist medical, nursing and end of life care to patients with life limiting or terminal illnesses, in addition to counselling and support services for their families.

This year, fundraisers can boost every pound they raise as The Waterloo Foundation has pledged to match fund every £1 raised by Sparkle Walk participants, up to a total of £10,000.

Participants can keep their loved ones close and let the memories of them shine throughout the event. Walkers can write the names of their loved ones on their specially produced Sparkle Walk t-shirts before wearing them with pride as they walk. At 5km, participants will arrive at City Hospice where they’ll be greeted with refreshments and the opportunity to leave a message for their loved ones in the Memory Garden.

Among those taking part this year will be Julie Purbrick, accompanied by her family and friends.

Julie said: “City Hospice is a charity very close to my heart. Both my mam and my sister were able to spend their final precious moments at home, surrounded by their loved ones and this was made possible by the support City Hospice provided to them and us as a family.

“By doing the Sparkle Walk last year we were able to give something back to this amazing charity. I am looking forward to doing this walk again with my wonderful family and friends in memory of two beautiful, amazing, courageous women: Ann Bartlett and Jacqui Walsh.”

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We are so excited to be able to hold our third Sparkle Walk since 2019. We hope to see some new faces this year alongside our returning participants. This event continues to create a community by bringing people of all walks of life together and allowing them to keep the memory of their loved ones shining.”

The Sparkle Walk is suitable for families, friends, colleagues and anyone over the age of 8, though any persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For tickets and further details, visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/upcoming-events/sparkle-walk-2022/

ENDS