Colour, fun and a party atmosphere could be seen and heard around Ipswich over May weekend as St Elizabeth Hospice’s flagship fundraiser, the Midnight Walk, came to town.
Returning to Ipswich for the seventeenth time, the Midnight Walk saw over 1,150 supporters don their best fancy dress and neon-themed outfits to show their love for the independent Suffolk charity.
Held on Saturday 18th May, the Midnight Walk, which was sponsored by Hawk Express Cabs, also provided supporters with an opportunity to remember loved ones who are no longer with us and to raise funds for the hospice through sponsorship – with over £100,000 already raised as donations continue to come in.
The evening was compered by the team from GenX Radio and the walkers were officially set on their way by hospice Chief Executive Officer, Judi Newman and Shelley Fountain, who also took part in the walk as a tribute to her son, Mason Fountain, who died aged 18-years-old in July 2023, after having received support from St Elizabeth Hospice and its young adult service, Zest.
“It has been an amazing and emotional evening to be a part of, and one my family and I will never forget,” said Shelley.
“The staff at St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest were a fantastic support to Mason, myself and our family, which is why, alongside our friend Louise and my middle daughter Scarlett, I took part in this year’s Midnight Walk.
“It really was an incredible atmosphere and it felt great to be alongside so many other people, joining together in support of this brilliant charity, which makes such a difference to people’s lives, when care and support matters most.”
This year’s Midnight Walk saw supporters throw on their brightest disco clothes and complete a seven mile circular walk around Ipswich, starting and finishing at Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town Football Club.
James Fox-Golding, Events and Challenges Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Thank you and a huge well done to all the walkers, supporters and volunteers who took part in this year’s Midnight Walk and made the event possible.
“It is always a privilege to be part of the team behind the Midnight Walk, as it is such a fun and bright event which brings fun and joy, but one that also unites people and allows them to remember loved ones.
“Every penny raised really will make a difference to the hospice’s services as we continue to evolve and expand our care to support more patients and their families across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”
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About St Elizabeth Hospice
St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Our work is centred on an individual’s needs, which means specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. Through medicine and therapy we ease pain; we give life purpose and make life liveable.
About Zest
Part of the St Elizabeth Hospice Group, Zest supports young adults aged 14 and upwards with progressive and incurable illnesses to ensure that they get the specialist care, tailored treatment and services they need to be able to enjoy life to the full. Young people with incurable conditions are living longer and adult hospice services are not always suitable to fulfil their needs.
The Zest specialist team includes learning disability and palliative care nurses, and physiotherapists to work with young people and support them to minimise the impact of their conditions and maximise their potential.
This care enables young adults with challenging conditions to fulfil their aspirations, whether this is to manage their symptoms, access opportunities in the community, and reduce loneliness by enabling them to meet and have fun with friends. Zest runs an X-Change group where young people can come together to have fun, as well as short breaks providing respite.
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