Peterborough: Starlight Hike

19 July 2012, 06:00

A charity claims 46% of people in Peterborough would ask a charity for support if affected by a serious life-changing illness.

The study, by Sue Ryder, also revealed just 4% of Peterborough residents have done any charity fundraising in the last year.

The charity has launched its latest fundraising drive, the Starlight Hike.

The charity walk, which starts at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium at 10pm on Saturday 8th September, is to raise funds for Sue Ryder's Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

The hospice provides specialist care for adults with complex or life-limiting medical conditions.

Around 100 members of staff work at Thorpe Hall, supported by around 180 volunteers, caring for around 400 people from Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Norfolk.

The hospice costs over £2 million a year to run, with around £1 million of funding coming from local Primary Care Trusts or GPs.

The rest of the money, at least another £1 million, must be raised each year through local fundraising.

Jason Suckley, director of fundraising and marketing at Sue Ryder, said: "People tend not to fully appreciate their health or that of family and friends until it is taken away - as our research clearly shows, 'it will never happen to me or mine' thinking. 

We want to encourage people to support us before they come to rely on support from us or similar organisations. 

With our new Starlight Hike events, we want to help people see fundraising in a whole new light by providing the chance to experience some of the country?s most stunning landmarks, by the light of the stars.

The money we hope to raise through our Starlight Hike events will have a significant impact on our ability to fund the growing demand for compassionate and expert care for people living with complex conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntingdon's disease, motor neurone disease and brain injury."

Click here to get more information about the Starlight Hike.

Alternatively, people interested in fundraising can call in to any Sue Ryder retail shop in the area or call the Hospice on 01733 330060.