A total of 727 participants signed up for the popular charity event, following the scenic towpath of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
Together, they have successfully raised just over £70,000 to fund vital hospice care, with donations still rolling in.
Choosing a path for a vital cause
The event offered participants a choice between two picturesque routes designed to accommodate different walking abilities:
- The 12km route: A scenic ramble starting from Paper Mill Lock in Little Baddow.
- The 24km route: A more challenging hike starting from Heybridge Basin.
Both routes finished in the car park of Teledyne e2v in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford.
Walking in memory of loved ones
For many participants, the Walk for Life is deeply personal. Many walked to celebrate and honour the lives of loved ones who received compassionate end-of-life care from Farleigh.
Linda Stocker’s Story
Linda Stocker joined her family at Paper Mill Lock to complete the final stretch of the 24km route to the finish line. Despite having had a knee replacement and finding the walk difficult, she was determined to cross the finish line in memory of her daughter, Lisa Goddard.
We are very grateful to Farleigh for the care that they gave to Lisa at home and then at the hospice, she stayed there in a big room, so the whole family could visit her, and we had lots of happy times together. I know Lisa would have been very proud of us all for taking part. We’ve raised £898 plus Gift Aid for Farleigh and will be doing more fundraising."
The Together4Heather Group
June Allen and the ‘Together4Heather’ group completed the full 24km hike. They walked to celebrate the life of June’s identical twin sister, Heather, who was cared for by Farleigh Hospice a decade ago. Since Heather’s passing, the group has raised an incredible £80,000 split between the hospice and cancer research.
We take part in Walk for Life every year, it’s so important for us to be here remembering Heather and supporting Farleigh because they looked after her so well."
Making a difference in mid Essex
The money raised from the Walk for Life directly funds specialist palliative care and bereavement support across mid Essex, including Chelmsford, Maldon, Braintree, Witham, Halstead, and Burnham.
Sarah Millerick, Fundraising Lead at Farleigh, expressed her deep gratitude to the community:
“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Walk for Life and made the day so special. Together, you have helped us to raise just over £70,000 with donations still coming in. This really will make a huge difference to the individuals and families who rely on our care. We know that a lot of people are struggling financially at the moment, and we really appreciate the kind and generous support that Farleigh Hospice continues to receive from our local community.”
To find out more about the care and support provided by Farleigh Hospice or to give a donation, click here.
To take part in one of our fundraising events, click here.