"Q: When can I collect my T-Shirt and accessories?"
At our Plant Sale weekend we will have your t-shirts and accessories in reception ready for you to collect. We would really appreciate it if you could please collect your t-shirt packs on either of the following two days:
"Q: Where do I park?"
Friday 11th May
Saturday 12th May
There is no parking at the hospice or on the road outside the hospice grounds. Parking staff will direct you to Cassons field, which is 500yds towards Slyne.
"Q: How far is the walk in miles?
14K = 9 miles
25K = 15.7 miles
"Q: Do I need to bring any loose change with me on the night?
Yes, if possible. This year we have a professional photography team that will be able to make instant photo keyrings, fridge magnets, and photo prints. Prices start from £5 per keyring/fridge magnet, to £10 for a full size print of your photo (which you can collect after the walk if you wish). As always, we have our full range of accessories to buy on the night including Bunny ears, wings, tiaras, crazy pink ‘noodle’ hair, butterfly head bands, cowboy hats, tutus, fishnet gloves, legwarmers and more! Prices range from £2.50 for fishnet gloves to £8.00 for a full pink set including a tutu, fishnet gloves and legwarmers. If you wish to buy accessories, this will require you to bring some cash on the night but we can also take card payments.
"Q: Can I write a message on my T-Shirt?
Yes, there is a space on the back of your t-shirt to write on. Last year many ladies wrote their reasons for doing the walk or the name of a loved one they had lost and some attached photographs.
"Q: Where do I hang my yellow ribbon?
You will be given a yellow ribbon and can choose whether or not you want to write a message on it to bring with you on the night. The ribbons are symbolically tied to the ropes on either side of the driveway at the hospice thus reminding us as we leave and return of those we love.
"Q: Is there a youngest age limit?
The hospice insurance company has set the youngest age limit at 12 for the 14k walk and 16 for the 25k walk. Children aged between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+)
"Q: How long will it take me to walk?
Everyone is different, and it can take anywhere between 2 hours and 4 hours for the 14k. If you are walking the 25k make sure you have trained well in advance and are fit enough to take part. The 25k walk will take approximately 2 hours longer than the 14k. This is not a race! It’s about coming together with like-minded people and having fun.
"Q: Will there be toilets?
When there is a large group of ladies we appreciate there are never enough toilets! There will be plenty of toilets at the hospice, at Broadway Hotel, along the promenade. Unfortunately the portaloos are not free so please be understanding if you have to queue!
"Q: What happens if I’m too tired or I hurt myself?
A mini bus and a car will be constantly patrolling the route with a First Aider on board the mini bus. If you require assistance let a marshal know, he/she will contact the hospice and the mini bus will be told of your location.
"Q: How do we all set off?
Due to the two walks there will be different start times, 10pm for 25k walk and midnight for 14k walk. Each walk will be a mass start, which is officially opened by a special guest. Please bare in mind that we are entering onto a potentially busy main road, and keep on the pavement as much as possible.
"Q: Will I be safe?
We have marshals at every major junction and road crossing. There will also be marshals walking and/or cycling with the ladies. They all have mobile phones. The police will have been informed. All taxi and bus companies will also have been told of the event. The only difficult area is Ryelands Park. ON NO ACCOUNT MUST ANYBODY TAKE A SHORT CUT ACROSS THE PARK. THERE WILL BE NO MARSHALS IN THE PARK. We have also taken into account all feedback from last year on our 25k route, and are recruiting more marshals to cover the heysham leg of the journey.
"Q: What shoes should I wear?
A comfortable pair of trainers seems to be the best option. If you purchase a new pair make sure you break them in before the walk.
"Q: Why do I need to collect my T shirts and accessories?
Due to the cost of postage we felt it prudent to make both available for collection from the hospice after April. Last year, we saved nearly £3,000 on postage costs alone by doing this. If you haven't already pre-ordered your accessories you will have the opportunity to view and buy them while you collect, as we will have our full range of accessories in reception such as Tutus, flashing headbands and crazy flashing hair! These are also all available from our online shop. All proceeds from the sale of accessories will go straight to St. John's Hospice.
"Q: Can I come in fancy dress?
Yes, the crazier the better, but don’t forget your t-shirt! You will be handed an armband on the night which is a requirement insisted on by the insurance company. Please give the armbands back after the walk so that they can be used again next year.
"Q: Can I hand in sponsor money on the night?
Yes. You will receive an A5 envelope along with your t-shirt. Use this envelope once you have finished collecting your sponsor money, place your sponsor forms and money in the envelope and return to the Hospice on the night. It is important that you also complete your details on the envelope so we can record it under your name. You can also bring in your sponsor money after the event, but if you can, please try and bring money with you on the night and hand it in at reception before you begin the walk.
"Q: What will the sponsor money be used for?
Every single penny will go towards the running costs of the Hospice. The money we raise at this year’s Moonlight Walk will go towards continuing to provide specialist palliative care to patients with life limiting illnesses and to support their families at a time when they need it the most.
"Q: Is there an easy way to collect sponsor money?
Online fundraising is perhaps the easiest way there is to raise sponsorship! This year we have teamed up with 'everyday hero' to allow you to create your own moonlight walk fundraising page and view the leaderboard of our top ten fundraisers! Create your own free online fundraising page by clicking on the 'fundraise' tab then selecting 'build your own page'. To see how other people are doing, click on the 'sponsor a friend & view our top online fundraisers' button. Friends and family worldwide can donate quickly and securely with a credit or debit card. This really does take the hassle out of collecting sponsor money. Any Gift Aid will automatically be added. Everyday hero will then pass all monies raised minus a tiny handling charge to us. Why not use Facebook, Twitter and email to inform friends and Family of your online fundraising page? The amount you manage to raise online will be taken into account when we are counting up your final sponsorship total raised - raise as much as you can to be in the running to win our TOP Prize! (see below)
"Q: Is there a minimum amount I have to collect?
No, but please do your best to raise as much as you can, you really will be making a difference. Prizes will be awarded to the highest and second highest sponsorship amount raised. Last year the top prize of a Jo and Cass pamper day went to a lady who raised £850 by having her total match funded by her place of work and 2nd prize of a David Frank Hamper went to a lady who raised £605 by baking and selling cakes at her local school. You must have your sponsor money in by July 31st to qualify for the prize draw.
"Q: What is Gift Aid?
For every pound you give, we can apply to get an extra 25% from the Inland Revenue, thus boosting the final total raised considerably.
"Q: How does the hospice know who is eligible to give Gift Aid?
Only people who pay tax can Gift Aid. On each sponsor form is a box the tax-paying donor MUST tick. The donor MUST give his or her home address and post code not business address. Without this we CANNOT collect the Gift Aid. It’s worth the extra moment or two to get this information down.
"Q: What is match funding?
Many companies now are happy to match fund. For every pound you raise the company promises to donate the equivalent to your total therefore doubling your efforts with no effort at all! Don’t be scared of asking the boss, you may have to fill in a form and wait for an answer but it’s so worth the effort!
"Q: Can I bring my dog?
Yes we love having the dogs and they can dress up too, but please have them on short leads and only bring them if they are well behaved.
"Q: What clothes should I wear if it’s raining?
Unfortunately we cannot predict the weather so keep your eyes on the forecast and dress appropriately. Walking in the rain means you are going to be wet no matter what you wear but don’t let that put you off.
"Q: Can my husband/boyfriend/son come with me?
Sorry, this is a ladies only walk, but we are happy for them to help by being a marshal for the event. We are also happy for women to help us with marshaling or back at the hospice with jobs such as handing out medals, pink fizz and bacon buns.
"Q: Why are there two walks again this year?
After the success of last year's 25k walk we have decided to bring it back for a second time. After listening to your feedback, we will be providing a different colour t-shirt for our 25k walkers to make you stand out from each other, and we have a number of training tips and ideas to help you prepare for the big event - please see the 'training' tab on our moonlight walk homepage for more info.
"Q: Are Woods of Morecambe doing their bra amnesty again?
For every lady who takes their ill-fitting bra to Woods of Morecambe, gets measured up and joins their loyalty club, Woods will donate 50p to St John’s hospice. ALSO: On the night of the Moonlight Walk why not bring in your tired, can’t hold them up any longer bras and make sure your name and address are attached to the bra; Woods of Morecambe will donate 50p to the hospice on your behalf. You can attach as many bras as you wish but it is only 50p per person not per bra.
"Q: Will you be providing food and water for us?
Yes. Last year we did not have the money or resources to offer a hot breakfast and were kindly donated a selection of croissants and pastries from local supermarkets. This year, we have managed to recruit a small team of volunteers who will be making bacon sandwiches and veggie burger alternatives for all you hungry ladies. Please be aware that you may have to queue. Water is as always provided, along with a celebratory glass of Pink Fizz.
"Q: Can we buy souvenirs on the night?
Yes, this year as well as our huge new range of pink flashing accessories, we will also be taking your photos and creating personalised photo keyrings and fridge magnets! These will be available to purchase and every souvenir you buy will be raising more money for St. John's Hospice!