SPECIAL FUN WALK EDITION Connections StayingStaying connected connected with with our our supporters supporters Winter Spring2014 2015 Fun Walk – a great fundrasing day out for all the family... and the dog too! “I thank you in particular for being the inspiration behind Come celebrate the walk, and for the tremendous amount of thought and coordination you and your team put into organising an event on this scale” Extract from our founder the late Dame Cicely Saunder’s 1990 thank you letter to 25 years of Fun David Stoneham, Langley Park Rotary Club Walk with us! A message from our Joint Chief Executives The biennial St Christopher’s Fun Walk is an exceptional Who? Every two years thousands of people of all ages and event made possible by the support of our community – fitness levels get together with families, friends and colleagues for individuals, clubs, groups, schools and companies. the Fun Walk, our biggest, brightest and best supported community It has grown steadily since Langley Park Rotary Club got event. it off the ground in 1990 and this year is our opportunity to celebrate 25 years and pay tribute to the amazing What? Whether you want to get seriously into your stride or achievements of our supporters. A remarkable £1.8 enjoy a gentle Sunday stroll there is a Fun Walk for you… and your million has been raised in total. This phenomenal dog! Choose between 3, 5, 8 and 11 miles, starting and finishing at sum has enabled St Christopher’s to provide expert Keston Common with picturesque countryside and entertainment care to many dying people, and support for those all the way. close to them. We hope you will join us this year and help us make that total £2 million! Why? Raise funds for St Christopher’s Anniversary Centre in Sydenham and Caritas Centre in Orpington so we can continue to provide expert care to patients and families to help them to manage the challenges of a life-shortening illness and live well. Heather Richardson and Shaun O’Leary How did it all start? We have Langley Park Rotary Club to thank for this amazing event. David Stoneham came up with the idea of a fundraising walk but when St Christopher’s suggested Remember – St Christopher’s services they might raise £7,000 for an ambulance his response was “Well, I cost £18 million annually and we need to don’t think so!” thinking it an impossible target. fundraise around £12 million each year Never underestimate what can be achieved by the Rotary Club. On 5 May 1990 (the day of the first walk) 423 walkers raised an incredible £29,000! Langley Park Rotary Club are still involved today and members run several marshal points with their families. Can’t make the Fun Walk? Just text FUNW15 £3 to 70070 and donate £3 to St Christopher’s today! Advance registration is quick, easy and free – and open now! Simply register online or use the form on page six – advance registration is free. You can turn up on the day but there will be a registration fee for each walker. Register online today at www.stchristopher’s.org.uk/funwalk Can we help with your questions? Email [email protected] for information or call the Fun Walk hotline on 020 8768 4684 Getting ready for the Fun Walk This special 25th anniversary Fun Walk is not be missed so There’s a walk for you! please gather family, friends, colleagues, school and college • 3 miles – a gentle stroll and a great route with children mates to join us for fun, laughter and celebrations as we walk • 5 miles – a bit more a of commitment together to raise funds for the hospice • 8 miles – one for keen walkers • 11 miles – one for those that really We’ll be fundraising for St Christopher’s supportive care centres – the Anniversary Centre want a challenge! at the hospice in Sydenham and Caritas Centre in Orpington – which give patients and This year we’ve shortened some their families easy access to physical, emotional and practical services that help them routes as they’d got a bit longer over manage their illness and make the most of their lives. Find out what your fundraising will the years! buy on page five. The Fun Walk takes place every two years and last time 2,400 walkers raised over Latest start times have £200,000. This year our target is 3,000 walkers and we want to raise as much again and changed maybe even more. These are ambitious goals and we need all the support we can get. All walkers can start from 8.30am. Remember – if you sign up in advance, it’s completely free! The last start time for the 8 and 11 mile walk is 12 noon and for the 5 and 3 mile More reasons to take part walk it’s 3pm. Walk in memory of a loved one and celebrate their life. You could personalise your t-shirt to tell everyone who you are “There are many highlights in the walking for. Everyone who pledges to raise calendar year but without doubt £50 gets their Fun Walk t-shirt free. the biennial St Christopher’s Fun Walk for fitness – how about increasing Walk is top of the tree! We have the distance you walk this year? been at The Greyhound for eight Walk for fun – dress up, laugh at your years now and each time this event own and other people’s costumes and gets better and better. I am sure enjoy the camaraderie and this year will be no exception. Not entertainment all the way. only does it contribute greatly to a very worthwhile organisation (one we were very grateful for a few years ago) but it is great fun as well. Good luck for this one and hopefully many more to come” Dave and Toni Lee, The Greyhound Fun Walking for a great cause Could you get your Entertainment all day workplace, company or school involved as well? Many companies match employee Tasty treats all day – from ice creams to a Waitrose BBQ fundraising pound for pound so it’s worth telling your employers about the Fun Walk. Your work colleagues might be persuaded to get together a team, or two or three and enjoy a bit of fundraising competition. And teachers and pupils – how about getting a school team together to walk for St Christopher’s? You could win the school The Lee family look forward to welcoming you on the day fundraising award! There’s a Fun Walk for any age – young or old 2 Follow us at www.stchristophers.org.uk/socialmedia and help tweet the word using #funwalk15 Fundraising tips – how to make the most of your Fun Walk sponsorship Set yourself a target, say £50 or £100, which might seem a lot but you only need 20 people to each give £5 to reach £100. When you register online at www.stchristophers.org.uk/funwalk we will automatically create your very own St Christopher’s online giving page. If you sign up using a paper form you will also get your own page if you give us your email address. This will make it easy for you to collect your sponsorship money. When you’ve got your page you can use Facebook, Twitter and email to spread the word and encourage people to sponsor you. Start with those closest to you, then branch out to fitness, school, social and work groups. Lots of people have a connection with St Christopher’s or hospice care so don’t be shy. Remember – if you don’t ask you don’t get! Medals and We’ll be keeping “Waitrose is delighted to be awards supporting St Christopher’s Fun you refreshed Everyone who Walk in 2015. The hospice has a and recharged completes their vital role, providing high quality on the Common chosen walk will care for dying people, and their receive a special Rest and recharge on friends and families, across South Fun Walk medal! the Common where East London. We’ll be supplying And there will be we will have stalls the Fun Walk with barbecue food awards for the best Enjoy a delicious BBQ treat selling food and drink fancy dress group and other refreshments on the day, including a mouth-watering BBQ and individual, and but also volunteering and sending sponsored by Waitrose and delicious ice cream, bottled beer the most money along teams to participate and and soft drinks. raised by a group, fundraise! We’re looking forward Or try one of the welcoming pubs and cafés on the route: individual and to a wonderful community day out, • The Greyhound Commonside BR2 6BP school. There’s also and helping to raise lots of money • The Fox Inn Heathfield Road BR2 6BQ an award for the for an invaluable local charity” • The Kings Arms Leaves Green BR2 6DU best marshal point Michelle Woolnoth, Branch Manager, Waitrose • Fiona’s Pantry 13 Heathfield Road BR2 6BG on the day. Bromley South We’ve got all day fun and What to wear entertainment for all • Your St Christopher’s t-shirt and There will be live music and things comfortable clothes or fancy dress – to enjoy all day long during the Fun the crazier the better Walk including the Endurance Steel • Well-fitting trainers or walking boots Orchestra, a fantastic community • Bring a waterproof... just in case! initiative, and the much-loved Beckenham Concert Band. There will be lots of children’s activities going Proud of their Fun Walk medals on including a traditional Punch & Judy show That’s the way to do it! on the Common.