Dear editor,
I am writing to share my thanks for the care my wife Madeline received from the staff at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, and to explain why my family and I will be stepping out again for this year’s Starlight Hike Bedford in her memory.
During Madeline’s time at the Sue Ryder Hospice in Moggerhanger, in 2021 we were given every opportunity to visit her, and for close family to be with her in her last moments – for that we are eternally grateful.
So many people have memories like ours and want to ensure that others can have their loved ones cared for by Sue Ryder in their final days, which is why we signed up to our first Starlight Hike last year.
The Starlight Hike was also a way to join together and celebrate Madeline’s life with joy, fun and music, as well as with the walk itself, and was all the more enjoyable knowing that she would have been the first to be at such an event too.
Each hike kick-starts with live entertainment, which is such good fun.
Last year there were dance groups, including ‘Starry’ (a man-sized star) plus singers providing very professional performances, all much appreciated by the crowd. There were stalls selling hats and other items which added to the joyful atmosphere.
Walkers could choose from a 5k or 10k route along Bedford’s Embankment which is well lit with further entertainment along the way.
Towards the end of the hike, we hung a small card-carrying Madeline’s name on a memory tree, as a moving public tribute to our loved-one.
Overall, far from being a sombre event, we found it full of joy, and this was so important as Madeline was such a fun-loving wife and mother.
Our family has greatly benefited from the support Sue Ryder provides, as have countless others. But this can only continue if funds are raised from events such as this.
We are looking forward to walking under the stars at Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Bedford on Saturday, 14 October and would encourage others to sign up too at sueryder.org/starlightbedford.
Yours,
Neil Hollingdale
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