Memories of loved ones to shine in Sparkle Walk
A 10k night-time walk in aid of leading Cardiff charity City Hospice will return for a second year on September 18.
The Sparkle Walk, sponsored by Dario Security, first took place in 2019 and returns after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 10k route starts and finishes within the grounds of Insole Court and travels through Llandaff and Whitchurch, including a stop at City Hospice where participants will have a chance to leave a message for their loved ones in the specially designed Memory Garden.
Among this year’s participants will be Rebecca Bullen who is walking with a group of ten family members and friends in memory of her husband Carl who passed away from cancer in June 2019.
Rebecca said: “Since supporting the Forever Flowers campaign, I have found talking and raising awareness about the hospice to be a positive step in supporting me with my grief. I want to support City Hospice for the care they gave Carl at the end of his life and the support they have given my daughter Ffion and I since.
“The Sparkle Walk is a few days before what would have been Carl’s 40th birthday and it will be very special to come together with my loved ones and join other supporters of the charity to share our memories. I hope the stars will shine on all of us and that this will be the first of many Sparkle Walks for me, my family and friends to support the amazing charity that is City Hospice.”
The only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital, City Hospice provides care to people with terminal or life limiting illnesses such as cancer, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and motor neurone disease (MND).
The charity provides care to 550 patients at any one time, as well as counselling and support services for families.
Liz Andrews, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We are delighted to bring back our Sparkle Walk and are working closely with the venue to ensure a safe experience for all involved. It is fantastic to see new walkers such as Rebecca and returning participants taking part in this year’s event which is a brilliant opportunity to come together and let the memory of lost loved ones shine on.”
Image Caption: The Bullens on a family holiday, L-R Carl, Ffion and Rebecca with Winnie the Pooh