Rennie Grove Hospice Care is bringing back its popular night-time sponsored walk, re-launching the event this autumn with some exciting new features.
The charity’s fundraisers have plotted the moon’s path and picked a night when a bright, full moon is due to bathe the city in a nocturnal glow – giving the event its name.
The Moonlight Walk is a reincarnation of the former Midnight Walk, but starting much earlier in the evening, with walkers gathering at Westminster Lodge for a glow stick warm up at 7:30pm on Saturday October 15 before setting off at 8pm on the 10 mile route around St Albans.
Promising ‘a night to remember’, the walk is aimed primarily at women and offers the perfect way for friends and families to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones.
One of the women who will be stepping out in support of the services offered in patients’ homes and at Grove House is Fenella Campa, volunteer services assistant for Rennie Grove.
The St Albans mum-of-three is walking in memory of her good friend, Sam Othen, who died in April this year.
Fenella explained: “I’m walking with as many of Sam’s friends and family as can do it – Sam’s husband and eldest daughter are walking, as well as my daughter who is one of Sam’s youngest daughter’s best friends.
“Sam loved puffins and our team is called Puffin’ Mad! We may try and wear something puffin-related… watch this space!”
Sam had support from Dr Nemeth, a palliative care doctor who holds a weekly medical clinic at Grove House.
Fenella said: “Sam found this incredibly helpful – she said it took the fear out of her situation and made her more able to manage on a day-to-day basis.”
Patients attending Rennie Grove’s medical clinic have access to an hour-long consultation with a specialist doctor who will help them to monitor and manage their symptoms. Sam used this service for 18 months.
Fenella previously knew very little about Rennie Grove and the range of services it offers at no cost to patients or their families. Now she recognises the difference it can make she is keen to raise funds to help more families access that support.
She said: “Before Sam started to get support from Rennie Grove and before I started working here, I didn’t know very much about it – just that there was a day hospice here at Grove House.
“In fact, I realise now there are another dozen or so services offered by the charity to patients in west Herts, including 24/7 responsive care in patients’ homes, all aimed at helping people with life-limiting conditions live well at home for as long as possible, whatever their prognosis.
“Every day I see first-hand what a difference this makes to local families and I really want to do my bit to honour Sam’s memory and help safeguard the future of this unique service.
“I would say to anyone who is thinking about it, that it is not as far as you think. When you walk in a group of friends it goes really quickly. The atmosphere will be amazing and Rennie Grove is an incredibly worthy cause, so get your walking boots on!”
To sign up for Rennie Grove’s Moonlight Walk, click here or call 01727 731028.
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