This October, a woman from Cheltenham will walk beneath the stars to remember beloved friends and raise vital funds for Sue Ryder, the palliative care and bereavement support charity.
On Saturday 18 October, Heather Langston, 58, will take part in the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Cheltenham. She is walking in memory of her friends Shirley Raynesford and Lynne Keenan, who were cared for at home by Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice at Home Nurses.
Heather will be joined by her long-time friends Tracey Moore and Jane Jeffries, both 62, who are seasoned participants in the event. Reflecting on what sparked her fundraising journey, Heather shared, “Shirley passed away seven months ago at just 59. I’d known her for 40 years, and her three children remain very close to me.
“Lynne was also a dear friend. Both she and Shirley received compassionate care at home from Sue Ryder Nurses, who supported not just them, but their families with dignity and kindness.”
Tracy added her own motivation for taking part in Starlight Hike Cheltenham: “I’m a nurse at a GP surgery, and I’ve seen so many patients cared for by Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice and at home by Sue Ryder Nurses. The care they provide is amazing, truly holistic support for friends, family, and everyone involved.
“I’ll be walking in memory of my brother-in-law Lawrence Moore, it’s a lovely way to take some time and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.”
Jane also explained what drew her to the event: “My mum, Irene Cooper, had cancer and was in hospital before spending a short time at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. The staff were fantastic. Sue Ryder is such an important part of our community.”
Looking ahead to the 18 October Heather reflected on what makes the event so special:
“It is a wonderful evening, because everyone is there for the same reason. It’s a celebration, in memory of people who have died, but full of joy.
Heather concluded: “We love getting into the spirit of the evening, dressing up each year as brightly as possible – face paint, light-up tutus – the works! The volunteers who line the route are all amazing and keep everyone going. Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Cheltenham is a truly wonderful experience.”
Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Cheltenham is sponsored by Capita and supported by in2Print and Ashley Manor Preparatory School. Staring at the School, friends and families are invited to come together on the night and walk a 10k route through Cheltenham, all in memory of someone special. Along the way, participants can choose to pass through the beautifully lit, tranquil grounds of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, where they’ll have the opportunity to place a star in memory of someone special.
Sign up and help Sue Ryder be there when it matters most. Every step helps fund expert, compassionate care for people at the end of life. To register or find out more, visit:sueryder.org/
You can support Heather’s fundraising here: www.justgiving.com/page/
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About Sue Ryder:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years, we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
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