Northern Ireland Hospice Care

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It’s Worth It to Walk It at Colin Glen ] Tuesday, 13 May 2008

It’s Worth It to Walk It at Colin Glen

Local based company, Gavan Fuels this week helped launch Northern Ireland’s biggest annual fundraising walking event, the 2006 Hospice Walk. Sponsor of the Colin Glen Walk, owner Marty Gavan is getting ready to put on his walking shoes to 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 hospice sponsored walk continues to attract thousands of people of all ages and this year the organisers are hoping that the walk scheduled for 10am on 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 Castle Coole near Enniskillen, 3 and 6 miles at Colin Glen Forest Park, Belfast and 9 miles along the Lagan towpath, Belfast.

Delighted to be sponsoring the well known Forest Park walking route Marty Gavan, Gavan Fuels said:

“The Hospice Walk is such a worthwhile and fun event. Gavan Fuels is delighted to be involved and will be encouraging its wide customer base to support this well established NI community based charity event.”

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

This year the event is sponsored by local based companies Gavan Fuels, Creighton’s of Finaghy, 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 Castle Coole, 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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