Families put their best foot forward for Memory Walk in aid of hospice

Families in the region took part in the St Clare’s 5K Memory Walk at the weekend.

The walkers set off from the Primrose Terrace hospice, in Jarrow, and went in a loop until they were back at the start.

The route went past Primrose Nature Reserve, Jarrow Cross Playing Fields, West Park and Monkton Dene Park.

The aim of the event is for people to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have been cared for at the hospice, as well as raising money for such a good cause.

Jade Brown, marketing and communications officer at St Clare’s, said the event was a huge success, with more than 50 people of all ages taking part, along with the hospice mascot, Buddy Bear.

She said: “It was a fantastic day, really, really good. It was a lovely mix of people, and everyone had a lovely time on the walk.”

When they got back to the hospice, the walkers had refreshments in the garden.

Jade said before they set off everyone was given a pebble to write messages on for the person they were walking in memory of.

And, while they were on the walk the pebbles were arranged in the garden by hospice staff so the fundraisers could see when they came back.

She said: “We are going to varnish the pebbles and keep them on display. We hope this is something we can expand and add to, which will create a nice feature.

“It was a nice thing for the families to be able to do. For some people it was their first time revisiting the hospice since they lost a loved one. We want somewhere nice for families to come and remember.

“We want people to know the hospice is here for the whole family, not just the person being cared for.”

All the money raised from the Memory Walk will go back into St Clare’s to enable the hospice to continue providing vital care and support to families in South Tyneside when they need it most.

Jade said the money has not been counted yet, but they hoped to have raised a good amount.

Anyone who would like to find out more about supporting the hospice should visit www.stclareshospice.co.uk or call the fundraising team on 0191 529 7111.