Gale McKinnell, aged 73, was one of the oldest participants to complete the Walk to Remember, finishing the 10-mile walk in just over two hours.
The event, organised by St Mary’s Hospice, is a fundraising initiative in which participants walk to honour loved ones. Gale took part to remember her brother, Dave Huddleston, who passed away at the hospice.
“I decided to take part in the walk for my brother Dave Huddleston, who was married in St Mary’s Hospice a week before he died,” said Gale.
“I was amazed at the care and attention he received. The hospice had very short notice to organise the wedding and laid on a buffet, which the family will always appreciate. My husband and I made out a cheque to cover the costs of the buffet. It was so nice the staff wanted to join in the ceremony.”
Gale’s connection with the hospice is deeply personal, and her participation in the walk is a testament to her gratitude for the care her brother received. Despite the event asking participants to raise £35, Gale far exceeded this target, raising over £700 to support the hospice’s vital services.
“St Mary’s Hospice means a caring, peaceful, and loving environment,” Gale explained. “I have done the walk three times now. I felt excited and emotional on the night, but also very proud to take part. It was a nice atmosphere and good fun. I enjoyed the camaraderie.”
Gale and her husband frequently visit the Orangery Café at the hospice, where they enjoy lunch and support the cause that means so much to them. “I prefer to support the hospice than anywhere else—the food is really good,” she added.
Gale hopes that the Walk to Remember continues for many years to come. “May the Walk to Remember long continue,” she said, reflecting on her experience and the positive impact of the event.
St Mary’s Hospice relies heavily on voluntary donations to fund the majority of its services, with only one-fifth of its funding coming from the government. Events like the Walk to Remember help ensure the hospice can continue to provide care for patients and families when they need it most.
Mel Dixon, Events and Challenges Manager at St Mary’s Hospice, is still blown away by the event that happened in September. She said: “This year far exceeded expectations. We’re used to 400 people taking part which is amazing in itself, but when I saw we’d hit 1,000 this year I couldn’t quite believe it. It’s the first year we’ve had to set a limit on the amount of people taking part.
“I’m humbled every day by the generosity and commitment of our community supporting the hospice. I’ve worked here for 10 years now and I’m still blown away by the lengths our community will go to support us.
“We’re extremely excited to announce amount this event has raised so keep your eyes peeled for the reveal in the next few weeks. Walk to Remember has been going on for seven years and each year is bigger and better than the previous one. It’s a night filled with laughter, tears, smiles and love. I can’t wait to see what we can do next year.”
Registrations for Walk to Remember 2025 are now open so secure your place now before it’s sold out. You can register here – https://www.stmaryshospice.org.uk/event/walk-to-remember-2025/