THE SLEEP WALK
Saddle up for The Sleep Walk “I
have taken part in every one of Rowcroft’s Sleep Walks,” says Jayne Hayter, the first
person to sign up for the hospice’s Sleep Walk from Dartmouth in 2015. “I just love doing it with all my friends; it’s an amazing atmosphere from start to finish.” every summer for the last four years rowcroft hospice
has invited 2000 ladies to sign up and walk their choice of five or ten mile routes to raise money for, and awareness of, south Devon’s local hospice. The event has grown in popularity year on year, with
last year breaking all records to become the biggest and fastest-selling sleep Walk in rowcroft’s history. “Our 2014 event was fantastic,” explains events co-ordinator Jess Goodwin, “we’d sold out of all our places before our early bird discount had chance to expire and managed to raise £192,000 for the hospice.” since 2011 more than 6000 ladies have stomped their
way between Torquay and paignton, collectively raising more than £690,000 to support the services provided by rowcroft across south Devon. sue harvey, rowcroft’s Inpatient unit manager, says: “We
truly value the support thousands of sleep Walkers show the hospice every year. more than 70% of our funding has to be raised by local people, so we are so grateful and thankful for the support.” This year the annual night walk is taking place on
saturday 11 July and has taken on a boot stompin’ Wild West theme. more than half of places for the event have been filled since registration opened in January. “I think part of the reason the event
“The
continues to grow in popularity is because we listen to what our walkers say,” explains Jess. “This year they decided on the theme and helped our decision to commit to a brand new route starting and finishing at Torbay leisure centre. The purpose of The sleep Walk is to raise funds for rowcroft but also to unite the community in raising awareness of our services, so it’s important we listen to what our walkers want.” sleep Walk organisers released a survey on Facebook late last year asking for feedback on 2014’s event - the comments they received in response were incredibly valuable. “We took all of them on board,” said Jess, “and were delighted to hear what people liked and didn’t like. We
Walkers take part in Rowcroft Hospice’s carnival-themed Sleep Walk in 2014
From left to right, Michaela Kendall, Jill Tucker, Louise Owen and Jayne Hayter, take part in The Sleep Walk 2014
Sleep Walk is
about celebrating precious memories with friends and family,”
were also thrilled they chose a Wild West theme; we’ve had great fun working on the designs and planning the night.” as the event has grown more established, organisers have become more playful with on-the-night plans: “last year was the first year we had entertainment en-route,” explains Jess, “as our theme was carnival we organised stilt walkers and samba bands. The atmosphere was electric, with spectators cheering, drivers beeping and waving as they passed walkers and all our volunteers in carnival sprit!” One of the most important aims of the
event is to provide walkers and volunteers with an opportunity to remember loved ones in a
positive and happy atmosphere. “The sleep Walk is about celebrating precious memories with friends and
family,” says Jess. Jayne adds: “I’ve never had contact with rowcroft but
my father in law passed away from cancer so I walk in his memory, it’s nice to feel I’m giving something back.” For all those wanting to walk in memory of someone
special, organisers provide memory plates which can be attached to official sleep Walk t-shirts. Once at the event walkers can sign their name and reason for walking on a wall known as ‘Barbara’s bleats’ (so-named because of the event’s mascot, Barbara the sheep). Jess adds: “It’s lovely to read our walkers’ stories and their
reasons for supporting the hospice.” The hundreds of thousands raised by walkers goes
towards supporting services the hospice provides for 2200 people with life-limiting illnesses across south Devon, as well as thousands more of their friends, family and carers. All By the Dart readers who are ladies and over
ten-years-old can sign up to take part in The Sleep Walk online today for the reduced price of only £12. To register, visit
www.rowcroftsleepwalk.org. uk and enter code DART15 before 31st
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