Women to get together for Dorothy House Hospice Care and take on the Midnight Walk in Bath!

The Midnight Walk is returning for another year in Bath as Hospices, including Dorothy House, are facing unprecedented financial challenges across the UK. That is why the Dorothy House Hospice Care is asking the local community to come together and take on this fantastic fundraising event full of walking, talking and dancing, in Bath on Saturday 5 July.

The Midnight Walk is for anyone aged 12+ and starts at the Bath Pavilion. Arrival is from 9pm, with time to enjoy drinks, food, fun and a funky warm-up with Cheryl Sprinkler from Mojo Moves. Those taking on the 10K walk will set off at 10.30pm, followed by the 5K walkers who will head out at 10.45pm, enjoying the sights of Bath on a wonderful summer night!

This year's theme is again all about pyjamas – it will be the biggest PJ party in town! The Hospice is looking for people to get into the bedtime spirit by snuggling into their own pyjamas, onesies or dressing gowns or upcycle some gorgeous nightwear from one of the Dorothy House shops!

Hospices are facing unprecedented financial challenges across the UK. Rising costs, a national insurance hike and stagnant government funding is putting huge pressure on Hospice financial sustainability. Over the past three years, the cost of running Dorothy House has risen from £46,000 a day to £52,000 a day.

Fundraising done as part of the Midnight Walk will help fund Dorothy House's Hospice at Home Carers. The Hospice is asking each walker to aim to raise a minimum of £50, which could fund two hours of overnight care, provided by one of the charity's compassionate, skilled and experienced Hospice at Home carers.

These Hospice at Home Carers support patients and their families, keeping the patient as comfortable as possible within a familiar setting. At the very end of life, our team will work with the family to agree several visits to meet the patient's personal care and emotional support needs.

In the UK there are 5.8 million unpaid carers providing care to their loved ones, with over 59% of those being women. Part of the message behind this year's Midnight Walk is to show solidarity to all those unpaid carers in our community. Unpaid carers work together with the Dorothy House team, including the Hospice at Home Carers, to provide support for the entire family.

Nikki took part in the Midnight Walk last year. Dorothy House looked after her husband Stuart, who was cared for by the hospice in 2018. She says:

"In November 2018 my family were give the devastating news that my husband (42) had terminal cancer. He was given weeks, maybe months, to live. This is where Dorothy House became part of our family story. We attended the family art classes, made Christmas decorations and a memory vase. Stuart and I had a hand cast made at Dorothy House, which has given us memories and items to remember Stuart by.

"Sadly, Stuart died just five weeks later. The children and I have had counselling support through the hospice. Without the care and support of Dorothy House in the final weeks of Stuart's life it would have been an even more difficult and lonely time. We felt that through the staff at the charity we had somewhere to turn and ask questions and get answers."

Entry for the Midnight Walk is £22, with an Early Bird entry of £17.50 running until Tuesday 1 April, so be quick!

Sign up today and join the night of celebration for an amazing local cause!

https://www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/events/midnight-walk/