Hospice needs people to get behind annual pyjama walk

#WalkWithUs

In a normal year, in September, a large community of 2,000 walkers would gather in Bury St Edmunds for the Hospice’s Girls Night Out Walk. Unfortunately, this won’t be possible in 2020.

At first, it was hard to imagine how our biggest fundraising event, built on community spirit and mass participation, could be done differently. 

What can replace an event that inspires people to raise £200,000 each year?

During these uncertain times, we have heard and read many wonderful stories of people continuing to make a difference in spite of challenges.

St Nic’s hopes that a virtual version of its annual sponsored pyjama walk can be another memorable event and example of the local community getting behind an important cause - their local hospice.

This year, Jaynic’s Girls Night Out Walk will take place on Saturday, 12 September. We’ve not set a time yet, but walkers should begin and return while it’s light. 

Walkers will put on their comfiest trainers and pyjamas to take on their own walk and use government guidelines to stay safe. The Hospice team will use social media to bring together everyone such as walkers, marshals, sponsors and members of the community. 

Walkers will set a distance and en route share milestones and tributes to loved ones.

While walkers participate, they will feel the warm support of our virtual marshals digitally clapping their posts, also live video hosted by the hospice team will engage with all involved. 

Over the next few weeks, we will be preparing to launch registration on Friday 26 June, with a suggested donation of £20 to sign up and an option for people to collect sponsorship. 

Please start to spread the word! We firmly believe, with your spirit, this could be a special moment for our community which generates much-needed support for those faced with dying, caring and grief. 

Take care and continue to stay safe, please follow the link if you’re interested in some of the initially planned changes to this year’s event. 

Jenny Smith, 
Hospice Events Fundraising Manager

Photography at Girls Night Out

During Girls Night Out, the Hospice’s Marketing and Communications Team will be capturing images and film for use in the press and on the charity’s website and social media pages. You can identify us by our blue jackets and ID badges.

Some photographers who are at the event may not be official Hospice photographers, they could be from the press or hobbyists, so it will be important to share your wishes with anyone capturing your image.

If you are uncomfortable with your photograph being taken, please express your wishes to the photographer.

If you have any concerns please speak to a member of the Hospice events team, who will all be wearing blue jackets.

You can read more about this in the event's terms and conditions: https://www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk/terms-conditions

This year's medals revealed!

We're excited to reveal this year's medals!

Celebrate your achievement with your team-mates and fellow walkers as you cross the finishing line and are awarded one of these medals.

Girls Night Out cupcake for every walker

All walkers will receive a special Girls Night Out cupcake after they cross the finish line.

During the lead up to the event, our Catering Team are being kept busy making 2,500 of these cupcakes. A huge thank you to them!

Meet your events team

Whether it’s a question about the route, a query about a sponsorship form or bright idea for a fundraiser, bunny ears and pyjamas are never far from the minds of the Hospice’s Girls Night Out Events Team, consisting of Jenny Smith, Lizzie Cross, Emma Clements and Fran Bean.

It’s their job to make sure all of our walkers have a wonderful time and the night runs without a hitch. Their duties, to name just a few, are to make sure that everyone stays safe, that there are plenty of T-shirts to go around, enough loos on the night and of course that everyone gets their bunny ears.

You will have received emails from them and possibly even phone calls, but if you see them on the night, don’t forget to say hello and give them a wave! They'll be the ones in the red event jackets.

Important changes to this year's event

This year, we're doing things slightly differently.

Registration
Registration will take place in The Athenaeum on Angel Hill. Please head there to sign in when you arrive and to sign out when you finish your walk.

Setting off
Before the walk sets off, we're asking all the 11.2-mile walkers to make their way forward to the starting arch and for our six-mile walkers to head towards the back of Angel Hill. This is to allow those walking the longer route more time to finish. The starting times will remain the same for both groups.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

The first glimpse of this year's T-shirts!

Girls Night Out T-shirts have arrived!

There is one more chance to collect your T-shirts before the event:

Thursday 22 August, 5–7pm at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, Southgate Green, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2BL

If you can't make this session, then a friend can collect your T-shirt for you (they just need your name and T-shirt size) or you can collect on the night. You will also be able to collect your bunny ears on the night.

Once you've collected your T-shirts, why not gather your team-mates and share a group photo on our Facebook page? We'd love to see who's taking part.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral shows its support

We are delighted that St Edmundsbury Cathedral will be supporting Girls Night Out this year. They will be welcoming all visitors, regardless of faith, opening their doors for moments of reflection during the event. 

In the days leading up to Girls Night Out, the Cathedral's shop window will be turning pink to help us celebrate.

On the day, the Cathedral's café, Pilgrim's Kitchen, will stay open until 7.30pm for cakes, bakes and drinks. 

From 6.15pm, the Cathedral will turn pink and will be a place to gather, to sit and wait or to reflect. There will be fragrant pink flowers, the nave pillars will be lit up pink and pink candles will be available to light for personal prayer. At 7.15pm, a blessing will be said for all walkers (keep an eye out for Team Cathedral who will be walking with us). 

The Cathedral will remain open after our walkers have departed from Angel Hill at 8pm. Those who are not walking are welcome inside to keep watch and wait.

At 10.30pm, by the flickering light of the pink candles, a meditative and reflective service of night prayer will be held for those with weary feet. Don't worry if you're running late, just pop in when you can. The Cathedral will close at 11pm.

Bury market traders show their support

We're so grateful to have the support of Bury St Edmunds market traders at this year's Girls Night Out.

As well as decorating stalls and letting people know about the event, they will also be donating the bananas which get handed out to our walkers.

Trader Tony Wilson, who has been on the market for more than 30 years, said: “The Hospice is for the people of Bury and we are the people of Bury so anything we can do to support it we will. I’ll be donating some bananas for the night and on the day (14 September) we will be decorating the stalls, letting people know it is happening and just creating a bit of a buzz."

As well as supporting the Hospice’s Girls Night Out efforts fellow market trader Darren Old has also been busy making a splash for the charity by completing two sponsored swims, raising £440.

He said: “It is just good to be able to support the Hospice. It is such an important charity for Bury. I think all of us must know someone who has been supported by the hospice, whether that’s a family member or friends.”

Market Development Officer for West Suffolk County Council, Sharon Fairweather, said: “We like to support local charities and community groups and are always willing to help them in whatever way we can. It was the traders who decided to support Girls Night Out, it’s very much been led by them, and we’re happy to support them.”

Thank you to everyone involved for your dedication to the Hospice.

Girls That Shamrock's story

Well done to Girls That Shamrock on an amazing team fundraising effort, raising £646.

Suzanne Webb, who is unable to attend Girls Night Out this year, suggested holding a coffee morning as she wanted to support the team, consisting of Rachel Fryer, Anne Kerley, Wendy Thompson, Sue Riches and Tiffany Blackhurst and they all pitched in to organise the event.

The well supported event raised funds through cake and refreshment donations, a 'name the teddy' competition, and a raffle, which saw many local businesses donate prizes.

The team will be walking in memory of Michael Kerley, Anne's husband, who was cared for by the Hospice two years ago.

Thank you to Girls That Shamrock for sharing their story.

Fitness and nutritional tips for our walkers

Thank you to David Calver, of DC Fitness, who has provided training tips and to Lucy Cronin, of 365Motivate, for her nutritional advice.

Whether you already enjoy taking part in a sport, are a seasoned walker or giving the challenge a go for the first time, the more training you do, the more you will enjoy Girls Night Out.

David is also generously offering all walkers a two-week outdoor fitness trial at DC Fitness. Simply get in touch with David through his website.

Lucy is the owner of 365Motivate, whose ethos is to encourage a healthy mindset and body through effective training and good nutrition.

Download training tips

Download nutritional tips

T-shirt collection dates for your diary

This year there are two T-shirt collection dates - Sunday 18 August, 11am-2pm, at the Hospice and Thursday 22 August, 5pm-7pm, at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club.

One person can collect T-shirts on behalf of the rest of their team or their friends (please have their names and T-shirt sizes with you). For those who cannot make either of these dates, T-shirts can be collected on 14 September on Angel Hill, when signing in. Bunny ears will be supplied on the night.

Important information about car barriers when collecting T-shirts from the Hospice:
The exit barriers out of the hospital site are now operating by car number plate recognition. Reception staff at the Hospice will input your car registration number into the system so that when you exit, the barrier will automatically open.

Girls Night Out merchandise available now

Girls Night Out hoodies, water bottles, torches and other merchandise will be available to buy leading up to and at the event.

Where to buy:
T-shirt collection sessions
Any of the Hospice shops
From the retail stall on Angel Hill on the night

Prices:
Hoodies (sizes small to XXL): £17
Water bottles: £3
Pink Torches: £3

Dawn's story

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your story with us.

Dawn has taken part in Girls Night Out over the last four years and this year she took her fundraising support a step further by jumping 10,000ft out of a plane at our special Tandem Skydive Day on 21 July.

She says: "It's all done in memory of my dad - he was cared for and passed away at St Nicholas Hospice. I am excited and a tad anxious about doing it, but know it's for such a worthy cause. The Hospice is a wonderful place, filled with calm and care. My dad will be looking down, with a raised eyebrow and hopefully a proud smile."

More than 1,600 walkers signed up so far

Would you like to join our 1,673 dedicated walkers who have signed up so far? What a sight to see more than 1,600 pairs of flashing bunny ears filling Angel Hill.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far - we can't wait to see you all on 14 September!

Lorraine and her team-mates share their fundraising tips

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Here's some Girls Night Out fundraising inspiration.

Brandon residents, Loraine Skikunas and her team-mates Julie Cowan and Jessica Fleming have got their fundraising underway, raising £207.45 by holding a cake stall, and they are now setting their sights on their next events - a quiz night in July and bingo night in August.

They will be walking their fourth Girls Night Out as team Marley's Angels, in memory of Loraine's godson who passed away as a baby.

Loraine said: “I think the Hospice is an amazing place. I went along to the Hospice to hand the money we raised from a previous Girls Night Out and couldn’t believe how calm and relaxing the place was. Even my young daughter who was hyper in the car park suddenly calmed down when she looked around the beautiful gardens.”

We'd love to hear about your fundraising plans - let us know by commenting below.

We visit the Mildenhall Marvels!

We were delighted to pop over to Mildenhall last week to visit the Mildenhall Marvels, who are joining us at this year's Girls Night Out.

Donna Cooper, Mildenhall Slimming World Group Consultant, has already signed up over 30 women from her Wednesday group. This is the fifth time the Mildenhall Marvels have walked with us, and we are very grateful for their continued support.

Donna says: “No other charity event is like this, you are not seen as just a number. The Hospice Fundraising Team make you feel valued and that you can make a difference to local people’s lives. You might be fortunate enough not to need Hospice care at the moment, but you never know what the future holds.”

Donna jokes: “Of course we are very happy that the bacon butties at the end of the walk have been changed to 'Syn Free' cupcakes! (Well, not quite Syn Free!).”

One day to go to sign up with the early bird offer

Girls Night Out walkers, there's only one day left to sign up with the early bird price of £10 (it's £15 from 1 June).

Register online and join us: www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk

Allison's story

Allison Humphreys, of Bury St Edmunds, will be walking with her good friend Julie Elder. They always make sure they are at the front at the start of the walk and Allison who has Multiple Sclerosis is proud to say they finish the walk in under three hours.

Allison said:

“I’ve walked Girls Night Out nine times now. Some years I find it very difficult and struggle with my legs the next day, but it’s worth it.

“My husband David will be at the nine-mile point of the walk, waiting to hand me my hooded jumper and a bacon roll to keep me going.”

One week to go to sign up with the early bird offer

Hundreds of women have now signed up to take part in Girls Night Out, but we are calling for more to join us.

With four months to go until this year’s walk, on Saturday, 14 September, more than 700 women have already registered.

There has never been a better time to sign up, because all entries received by Friday, 31 May will qualify for a special reduced early bird registration offer of £10 (all entries received after this date will cost £15).

Jenny Smith, the hospice’s events manager, said:

 “We would love to see as many women as possible support us on the night.  So please if you are thinking of signing up please don’t delay, grab your friends and family members and join us on September 14.”

“We believe everyone matters in life and death and your event registration fee and sponsorship money will enable us to equip the community, provide care and strive for something better for people living with dying, death and grief.”