A sprinkling of fairy dust is soon set to be scattered over Lichfield to celebrate midsummer – as hundreds of women step out in style for the fourth annual St Giles Hospice Solstice Walk.
The night-time event, which is now open for entries, takes place on the weekend of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year – and gives women from across the region the chance to get together and enjoy some exercise in the open air.
St Giles is inviting 1,500 women to dress up in fairy wings, fancy dress and wave their magic wands for the fundraising extravaganza, which this year is sponsored by Florette, and will get under way at 10pm on Saturday 19th June.
Participants can choose to complete just one 4.5-mile circuit of the cathedral city or two laps for the full nine-mile course.
Helen Relihan, Head of Fundraising for St Giles Hospice, said:
“Our annual Solstice Walk has become one of the most hotly anticipated events in Lichfield , and women come from all over the region to get together and be involved. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people and take some healthy exercise while raising money for St Giles, and the atmosphere is always absolutely electric.
“So tell your friends, relatives and work colleagues and get fundraising for a really good cause! Places are limited so we’re encouraging women to put their entries in early to avoid missing out.”
Last year’s Solstice Walk raised £135,000 for St Giles, bringing the total raised since the first walk took place in 2007 to nearly £300,000. All of the proceeds are spent on hospice care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.
This year the Solstice Walk is being sponsored by Florette, the UK prepared salad specialist.
Niki Webster, brand manager at the Lichfield-based company, added:
“We’re delighted to be supporting the Solstice Walk and look forward to welcoming hundreds of women for this great chance to meet new people, get out into the open air and do something worthwhile for a really good cause.”
Organisers have just opened the register for women wishing to take part in the walk, and participants can book online at www.stgileshospice.com/solsticewalk, call 01543 432538 or email [email protected]. Entry is £15 per walker and everyone who signs up will be sent a sponsorship pack, which includes a map of the route and details of how they can raise sponsorship money. Although the event is open to women aged 16 and over only, men can volunteer to act as marshals around the course.