Northern Ireland Hospice Care

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Eurospar help launch Hospice Walk 2006 ] Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Eurospar help launch Hospice Walk 2006

EUROSPAR at Creightons of Finaghy, this week helped launch Northern Ireland’s biggest annual fundraising walking event, the 2006 Hospice Walk. Proud sponsors of the Lagan Tow Path Route, storeowner Niall Creighton, store manager Andrew Porter and staff are getting ready to put on their walking shoes and highlight that ‘it’s worth it to walk it’ for Northern Ireland Hospice Care. Now in its 26th year and firmly established as a calendar event, the sponsored walk continues to attract thousands of people of all ages and this year the organisers are hoping that the walk scheduled for Saturday 25th March exceeds all previous records.

Joanna Pawson, co-ordinator of the Hospice Walk is encouraging the public to get fit, have fun and support the local charity which annually cares for thousands of patients with cancer or other life-limiting conditions not just at Hospice but also in the patient’s own home.

“We are delighted to have such well known faces supporting the Hospice Walk. Each year it is a growing success but this year we need it to be even bigger. Demand for our services both at hospice and at home is growing rapidly and we need to raise the funds to meet this demand. It’s a great day out and it is always great to see old and new faces joining the walk. We are grateful to our sponsors and hope their local community supports them in making it a huge success and fun day out for all.”

With over 10 different walking routes to choose from across Northern Ireland there is something to suit everyone as it attracts toddlers, teens, twenty-somethings, seniors and even family pets. Comfortable shoes are a must have as routes can range from 1.5 miles at Castlecoole near Enniskillen, 5 miles at Castleward in Strangford and 9 miles along the Lagan towpath, Belfast.

Niall Creighton of EUROSPAR at Creightons of Finaghy is delighted to be supporting the event.

“This is the second year we have sponsored the Hospice Walk and we are more than delighted to be involved with an event that raises much needed funds for this important cause. Store staff and management have been in training and we’re all looking forward to getting on our walking shoes on 25th March! The event is always great fun as well as a huge success in terms of fundraising and we are certain that this year will be no exception.”

Celebrity faces of the campaign Mrs Walker, a Hospice Walk veteran and otherwise known as Olivia Nash shared tips with newcomer Claire McCallum.

“My dear, it’s all about giving so I will cover the shorter routes and give you the longer routes. Not only do you get the benefits of a great day out, everything you give goes directly to providing Northern Ireland Hospice Care for thousands of patients and their families in Northern Ireland.”

The walk began in 1981 when 10 of the Hospice’s founder members walked a circuit of Belfast to promote the new service, which at the end of that year had cared for 94 patients. Today it provides care to over 3,000 adults and children, a figure set to increase with an ever aging population and more patients and their families opting for care at home.

As well as EUROSPAR at Creightons of Finaghy, this year the event is sponsored by local based companies Gavin Fuels, Kilwaughter Chemical Company Ltd and Quinn Direct.

Walk venues include: Castle Ward near Strangford (5 miles), Colin Glen Forest Park (3 or 6 miles), Larne (5 or 9 miles), Portstewart (3 miles), North Down Coastal Path (5 or 8 miles), Lagan Tow Path (9 miles), Antrim (5 miles), Belfast Castle (5 miles), Carrickfergus (5 or 10 miles) and Castlecoole, Enniskillen (1.5 or 3 miles).

To obtain walk details and sponsorship forms or simply make a donation please contact the Hospice Walk Hotline on 028 9077 7123 or log on to www.hospicewalk.com.

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