St Christopher’s Hospice has celebrated the return of its much loved Fun Walk to Keston Common on Sunday 10 May, with thousands of local residents taking part and helping to raise an impressive £205,000 so far for end of life care across south London.
More than 2,000 people took part in the charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year, walking up to 11 miles each through Bromley’s woodlands and open countryside in support of their local hospice.
This year’s walk featured a number of powerful community stories. One family walked with around 150 friends and relatives in memory of their son, while a team of hospice nurses and clinicians completed the challenge together to raise funds for the patients and families they care for every day.
Along the route, walkers passed the event’s poignant Memory Tree, where participants could dedicate a heart to someone who had died. More than 450 hearts were placed on the tree in a moving display of remembrance.
The event offered four route options, 3, 5, 7 or 11 miles, starting and finishing at Keston Common. Fairground stalls, pop‑up shops, food and drink, games, and live music kept families entertained throughout the day, with dogs also welcome to join the walk. Participants signed up individually or as part of a team, with each group receiving an online fundraising page to track donations and compete for the top fundraising spot.
Karen, mother of Scott, who died at the hospice, said: “We joined thousands of others at St Christopher’s Fun Walk this year because the hospice was there for our son, Scott, when he needed them.
“St Christopher’s relies on its community to raise vital funds to deliver their expert care, and so after taking part last year with 44 of us, this year it was our dream to have a team of 150 of Scott’s friends, family and colleagues walking in his memory.
“Fun Walk is a wonderful way to support your local hospice and enjoy a fun‑filled day out. There’s so much happening across the site, with games, stalls and food and drink, and it’s also a chance to share stories and memories of those who are no longer with us.
“I know Scott would be so proud of us, as we were so proud of him.”
Head of Fundraising at St Christopher’s, Christine Davies, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to return to Keston Common for our annual Fun Walk. It’s one of the highlights of our year, bringing together thousands of supporters from across south London for a day full of energy, connection and purpose.
“Whether people walked with friends, brought the family, or joined us for the first time, they were part of something truly special. The walk reminded us how powerful it is when our community comes together, there was laughter, music, entertainment and a real sense of belonging.
“Now more than ever, events like this play a vital role in helping us raise the funds needed to provide crucial end‑of‑life care for local people, as well as support for their families and carers. Every step taken on the day made a meaningful difference. We’re so grateful to everyone who took part and helped us raise such an incredible total.”
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This news item was published on the St Christopher’s website and is republished here with permission.
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