Our ever-popular Moonlight and Memories Walk, sponsored by Stace & Co Estate Agents, returns on Saturday 26th August 2023 at 8pm!

Celebrate life, love and friendship and remember loved ones at St Michael’s Hospice’s Moonlight and Memories Walk.

The walk will take you by the light of the moon from St Michael’s Hospice, down the side of St Leonards Gardens, to the seafront, along the bicycle path to Galley Hill and back again to just before Bottle Alley. From there you will turn back around and go up the slope, to the top part of the promenade. Continue on as far as London Road and use the crossing to go over to the other side of the road. Continue on that side of the road, along East Parade, as far as Gardner Way, up East Ascent, taking you to Upper Maze Hill and back to St Michael’s Hospice. At the Hospice you will be invited to place your lantern in the gardens and take time to pause, reflect and remember your loved ones.

Please note the walk starts at 8pm, but registration opens at 6pm and all walkers must sign out at the beginning of the walk and sign themselves back in at the end of the walk, so we can confirm everyone has returned safely.

There is a warm up at 7.45pm at the Hospice, kindly taken by Serena Berrett – who will also lead the walk.

The Moonlight and Memories Walk is perfect for all the family to enjoy*, even your four-legged friends. **

For your registration fee, you will receive

• A paper lantern, which you can decorate in memory of a loved one (a battery-operated tea light will be provided to you before the walk begins)

• Water and a snack at the half way point

• A bespoke Moonlight and Memories Walk medal on completion of your 10k walk, kindly sponsored by Stace & Co

• Some delicious food at the end of the walk, courtesy of The White Rock Hotel

• Support along the way from our wonderful volunteer marshals

• A chance to become part of an exclusive fundraising club – The 250club***

• The option to do this event virtually

After the walk, food will be served from the Arthur Easton Centre at St Michael’s Hospice.

Please ensure you organise you own transport to and from the event. Please do not park in the Hospice car park, as this is reserved for staff, patients, friends and family. Please park considerately in surrounding roads and be aware of any parking exclusions.

If you would like to help us reach our £15,000 fundraising target for the event, please use the sponsorship form provided with your welcome letter, or visit our JustGiving page.

Did you know the Hospice needs to raise over £14,400 every day to continue to provide our services to the local community?

*Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at all times and a declaration signed by an adult when purchasing tickets .

**Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

Please read the FAQ’s below and the Terms and Conditions for full details.

FAQs

Is this a race?

This is not a race. You can walk as fast or as slow as you would like. We have a leader of the walk, who we ask everyone to remain behind, so no one gets lost and we also have a sweeper, who will always remain behind the last person of the walk.

Is the Moonlight and Memories Walk timed?

No, take it at your own pace and make the most of the experience. We suggest self-timing for anyone desiring a finish time.

Can children take part?

Absolutely! Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children under 5 years old can enter for free and will receive a lantern, battery operated tea light and a certificate. We cannot provide medals for under 5’s.

Do I have to raise sponsorship?

Fundraising for this event is highly recommended and each participant will receive a sponsorship form. If you would prefer to gain sponsorship online, please see justgiving.com/campaign/MoonlightandMemoriesWalk2023 for our Moonlight and Memories Walk campaign page. You can sign up to become part of the campaign and help us to reach our £15,000 target. Please note your entry fee only covers the cost of materials and admin for this event.

***If you want to challenge yourself and raise over £250, you will join our exclusive fundraising club, the 250club. If you individually raise over this amount (not including gift aid or match funding) and have your sponsorship income to us by the end of September 2023, you will receive an exclusive 250club hoodie courtesy of St Michael’s Hospice. If you are already a member of £250Club and raise another £250 you will not receive additional hoodies, this is a one off, however you will continue to be an exclusive member of the 250club.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are more than welcome on the walk, although please keep them on a lead. The Hospice gardens and the Arthur Easton Centre (at St Michael’s Hospice) are also dog friendly.

What should I wear?

The event starts at 8pm and take place at the end of August, so it can get chilly. Please make sure you dress appropriately. Trainers or walking shoes are highly recommended for this event. 10k is quite a distance, so clothing and footwear should be practical and comfortable.

Will you have changing rooms or storage?

No, please arrive with limited personal belongings. Any personal items will need to be taken on the walk with you.

Are tickets transferable or refundable?

Tickets for this event are non-transferable and non-refundable.

How will I receive my lantern and medal?

We will send you your paper lantern in the post (the battery operated tea light will be provided at the beginning of the walk), with your welcome information about the event, so you are able to light your lantern and take it with you on the walk.

All medals will be given at the end of the walk at St Michael’s Hospice, Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards on Sea, TN38 0LB

Can I keep my lantern?

For 2023, as we did in 2022, we are asking you to carry your lanterns on the walk and then place them in the Hospice gardens on your return

You can keep your lantern, however you will need to collect it before you leave the event. Please remember where you place it so you can retrieve it easily after the event. Please note there will be a lot of lanterns and we cannot keep track of specific ones. Sadly we cannot keep the lanterns after the event.

Can I register on the night?

Yes absolutely.

My question hasn’t been answered here, what do I do?

Please email fundraising@stmichaelshospice.com or call 01424 456396.

We would like to thank our event sponsor, Stace & Co Estate Agents, and caterer, the White Rock Hotel, for supporting this event.

If you’re interested in this event, you might also like to find out more about our five day, 63 mile Camino de Santiago Trek in Spain next year – full details here!