The Moonlight Walk is BACK for 2024! Join us on Saturday 15 June
This year’s walk will be bigger and better than ever, and everyone is invited to walk in memory of a loved one whilst supporting and celebrating your local hospice!
We’ve got so many exciting ideas in store that we’re revealing like the phases of the moon, and we’re so excited to share phase 1 with you-
We’ve given the classic Moonlight Walk route an update, this year we’re setting off from St John’s Hospice and heading up to Lancaster Castle before heading on to Morecambe prom, through to Bolton le Sands and back here to St John’s!
Lancaster and Morecambe will turn GREEN for one night only, representing all the local people who have been touched by St John’s Hospice care. Lancaster Castle will be looking splendent, illuminated in a glorious green glow! We have plans in store for an interactive experience for all participants to take part in at the castle, but we’re keeping that a secret for now…
Something familiar, something new – introducing new ways to honour your loved ones on this Moonlight Walk
You will be able to purchase one of our beautiful metal work Forget Me Nots, which you can display in our garden of remembrance here at St John’s before taking home with you. You might recognise the flowers from our 2022 displays at Lancaster Castle and Brockhole; especially for the Moonlight Walk, they have been reduced to £20 each
Introducing a completely new element to this year’s Walk – Memory Lane. For the first time, a section of the route along Morecambe Prom will be dedicated to remembering your loved ones. For £30, a photo of someone you love can be displayed on Memory Lane, reminding you who you are walking for and giving you that boost to keep going!
Our poster boy for Memory Lane is Bill, whose daughter Anna has kindly shared her story with us:
“My dad Bill was Governor at Lancaster Castle from 1987 to 1990 and he loved it! Of all his postings he really enjoyed his time there – every time we see the castle coming over the bridge we always say ‘there’s King Billy’s castle’. When I saw the announcement that this year’s Moonlight Walk route would include the castle, and it would be lit up green, I felt like there was something spiritual going on there. Green had always been my dad’s favourite colour, and he had such a strong attachment to the castle.
Dad died in 2018, and even though he didn’t receive hospice care, he could have – any one of us could need it, and we’ve always supported St John’s. Whether it’s care you get at home, or in the hospice, what’s intrinsic is St John’s people-centred care for all the family. The Hospice gives our family comfort, and we take part in St John’s events to remember him, they’re such love-filled and gentle spaces to be able to do that.
Dad was funny and caring, he would always fall on his luck. He was the life and soul of everything and he would have loved to be launching Memory Lane. My mum Marie isn’t going to be able to join us on the walk this year, but I can’t wait for her to see dad’s photo on the route.”
Prizes!
We are very excited to announce that we are bringing back our Moonlight Walk Fundraising Prize Draw for 2024! Generous local businesses have got involved and have donated some incredible prizes for you, as fundraisers, to be within a chance of winning!
Raise over £50 and you will be entered into a draw to win a Luxury Hamper
Raise over £100 and you will be entered into a draw to win Afternoon Tea for two at the Toll House Inn & a prize donated by Sue Shields Face & Body Spa
Raise over £250 and you will be entered into a draw to win Sparking Afternoon Tea for two at Aspect Bar & Bistro and two float sessions for two people at Re:Set Mind Body Soul
Raise over £350 and you will be entered into a draw to win a Tapas and Cocktail Pitcher voucher at Cappuvino, Thermal Journey voucher at Tranquil Spa and a free bottle of fizz voucher at Brittlestar
It doesn’t end there – Jo & Cass Lancaster have donated one year’s FREE hairdressing to be awarded to our ‘Top Fundraiser’ – the person who raises the most amount of money! The prize can be redeemed at either the Jo & Cass Salon or The Men’s Room barbers!
Don’t forget the more you raise, the higher amount of prize draws you will be entered in to!
Now is the perfect time to kick start your fundraising! This element of the event truly ensures we can continue to support our local community and make it a real success for the Hospice. Set up a page on our dedicated Just Giving Campaign or print off a traditional sponsorship form to reach people who aren’t as tech savvy.
One of our supporters, Carole has raised over £1,000 already which has just blown us away! Here’s what Carole has to say about taking part in the Moonlight Walk
“I decided to do the Moonlight walk for St John’s in memory of two members of my family. My husband, who was a keen walker, died in an accident seven years ago and my younger son died suddenly, when in hospital, just over a year ago. He had run fundraising marathons after losing friends, so walking seemed an appropriate way of remembering both of them. I am completely overwhelmed by the response I have received. In the 4 days since launching my Just Giving page, over £1000 has been donated to St John’s.”
Mark yourself as ‘attending’ the Moonlight Walk on Facebook to join in the conversation! Especially as we get nearer to the event we’ll be sharing lots in here, and supporting you through your fundraising!
We need marshals along the route of the Moonlight Walk to keep everyone going and to make sure everyone stays safe. If you’re interested in marshalling, please fill in this form (no commitment at this stage) and we’ll be in touch!
Signed up this morning