Published on: Saturday 01 Jul 2023 at 17:19
“What is Walking in Memory?”
Walking in Memory is our annual 5k charity sponsored walk where we invite bereaved families and friends to come together to celebrate the lives of those they’ve lost – whether it be a parent, grandparent, child, aunt or uncle, friend, sibling or even a furry member of the family – everyone is welcome to attend our Walking in Memory events.
With two events taking place this September, you can sign up and raise money to help St Clare Hospice continue to provide outstanding end of life care and enjoy a walk through the beautiful Essex countryside to remember your loved one.
“How can I prepare for Walking in Memory?”
If you’re looking for a charity walk to remember, our Saffron Walden-based Walking in Memory event might be the right fit for you. Here we’ve put together a list of 8 things that can help you prepare for our 5k charity walk:
1. Register for Walking in Memory
First of all, it is important to think about who it is you want to celebrate. The thought of this family member, dear friend or loving pet will inspire you and drive you forward as you take on this rewarding challenge.
Once you’ve decided who you are going to honour, you can register for our Walking in Memory event right here on our website:
Saffron Walden – Sunday 14th September
Walk through the gorgeous surroundings of our Saffron Walden 5k route in celebration of loved ones.
Location: The Common, Saffron Walden, CB10 1JH
Take part in Walking in Memory – Saffron Walden
2. Set your goals and start fundraising!
Set a clear goal for yourself. Whether you want to raise a certain amount of money for St Clare Hospice or a competitive streak leaves you wanting to complete the distance within a specific time, whatever your goal, we’ll help you to achieve it.
Once you register for Walking in Memory, Enthuse will automatically create your fundraising page. Making it super easy to begin raising that all important sponsorship!
Plus, when you receive your first donation, you’ll be able to collect a FREE St Clare t-shirt to wear on the day. You’ll be able to decorate your personalised back sign to wear and share who it is you are remembering at Walking in Memory.
3. Invite others to get involved
Walks are best enjoyed when surrounded by friends, family, or colleagues who share your passion for the cause. Encourage others to join you and together you can motivate each other to reach your fundraising goals. Then you get to enjoy a scenic walk through the stunning Saffron Walden countryside together plus some much-needed BBQ food when you complete the route!
4. Physically preparing for Walking in Memory
To ensure a comfortable experience during the walk, it is essential to prepare yourself. 5k is not just a walk in the park! Make sure to take yourself out (and any furry friends who may be joining you) to enjoy long walks in your local green spaces, so you can get used to the distance.
And if you’re the competitive type and want to push yourself to complete the 5k walk in a certain amount of time, you can create a personalised training plan that gradually increases your fitness level, ready for the event.
When living with any underlying health conditions, please remember to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise regimen.
5. Host fundraising events
Whether you have an office raffle, fancy making some sweet treats as part of a bake sale or host a quiz at your local pub, there are a number of different ways you can have fun AND rally up funds to raise awareness for your sponsored walk in memory of your loved one(s).
If you’d like more information about fundraising for St Clare, want to talk through an idea of your own, or even just to tell us about your event – please do get in touch.
We are happy to support your fundraising efforts with branded materials such as banners and posters, and we can also help you to promote your event.
6. Make sure you have the right clothing
Before the big day, it’s important to make sure you have the right footwear for the walk. Invest in a comfortable pair of shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning, and make sure to break them in by wearing them on walks of a similar distance before the event. That way, you can focus on enjoying the day and sharing the memories of your loved one.
With the events being in September, it’s hard to gauge the weather. We recommend checking the weather forecast leading up to the event day so you can plan accordingly. Breathable clothing is recommended and have a rain coat on standby in case of a classic British drizzle!
Also make sure not to forget essentials like sun cream, a hat and a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the walk.
7. Use social media to boost your fundraising
Another great way to boost your fundraising even further is to share your JustGiving page on social media and, if appropriate, in your email footer at work. Utilising these platforms are a great way to amplify your message, reach a broader audience and increase the likelihood of receiving donations.
You can tell your story and share why you are Walking in Memory, so that friends, family, colleagues, or other potential donators can find out more about what inspired you to support St Clare Hospice’s charity walk.
Sharing your JustGiving page and story might also encourage other bereaved people to get involved with fun of this event, so that they too can celebrate the lives of loved ones who they deeply miss. And you might make a few new friends!
8. Prioritise self-care and rest
In the lead up to the event, ensure you get enough rest. Adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and staying hydrated will help you before, during and after the event. Make sure to listen to your body and avoid overexertion, especially if you’re new to walking long distances or have any health concerns.
Self-care is especially important when you are bereaved, as it can be difficult to keep up with routines or to think about taking care of yourself. So in the lead up to and even after the event, make sure to take good care of yourself and your mental health.
And always remember, if you want to talk, we’re here. St Clare Hospice’s GriefLine is a local resource offering emotional support to anyone struggling with grief after the loss of someone across West Essex and East Herts.
Call our team on 01279 945089. The GriefLine team are here to listen and give you a non-judgemental space to talk about how you are feeling and offer emotional support.
If you have any questions about this event, please get in touch with our Events Relationship Fundraiser Rosie Brewer on 01279 773750 or email rosie.brewer@stclarehospice.org.uk