Hospice urges families to join Hove seafront walk

The Martlets Hospice in Hove is asking families to sign up for a seafront sponsored walk.

The event is called the Walk to Remember and is also intended as a way for families to raise money for the hospice while remembering a loved one.

The walk starts at the Hove Lawns Café at 2.30pm on Sunday 24 March, with registration costing £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.

The Martlets said: “The idea is that the whole family, from children to grandparents, can walk together to remember a loved one while helping to raise money for the hospice’s vital services.

“Entrants can choose whether to do the 3, 5 or 12-mile course depending on how energetic they are feeling and who is walking.

“The terrain and length of the walk mean that it is an event that anyone can do.

“It is a truly inclusive event and walkers do not need to have any connection to the hospice to participate.”

The event organiser Antonia Shepherd said: “The Walk to Remember always has a wonderful atmosphere and it’s a great opportunity for families to come together to remember someone they have lost.

“We encourage everyone taking part in the walk to bring along a photo of a loved one or complete a dedication card to add to the Martlets memory wall at the start of the walk.”

For more information or to sign up online visit the Martlets website or contact Rachel Chitty in the fundraising office on  01273 747455 or email rachel.chitty@themartletshospice.co.uk.

The hospice, in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, provides end-of-life care for adults with terminal illnesses including cancer.

The hospice has an 18-bed in-patient unit and a “hospice at home” service.

The patient and family support team offer practical and emotional support to the families and carers of patients including helping them through bereavement.

The Martlets is a registered charity and provides all services free of charge as it tried to maximise patients’ quality of life and offer choice, dignity and independence.

It receives less than a third of its funding from the government and needs to raise more than £8,000 a day to care for patients and their families.

For more information about the Martlets Hospice visit www.themartlets.org.uk.