Thousands of wands are being produced to help a world record attempt at a Lichfield charity event.
St Giles Hospice is hoping to break the current record of 786 fairies in one place when the Solstice Walk takes place on June 22.
The event will see hundreds of women don their fairy wings and take to the streets to raise funds for the charity.
And their bid to beat the current record has been boosted by Tamworth-based Smurfit Kappa Recycling UK who will transform waste paper into 1,000 wands for the walkers who take part.
Helen Relihan, Head of Fundraising for St Giles Hospice, said: “We are delighted that Smurfit Kappa is preparing a team of 30 Solstice Walkers – and 1,000 magic wands – for the fundraiser in recognition of our 30th anniversary.”
Held every year on the closest Saturday to the summer solstice – the longest day of the year – the Solstice Walk is St Giles Hospice’s biggest single fundraising event and has raised more than £500,000 for hospice care since it was established in 2007.
The 2013 Solstice Walk is sponsored by Florette and will see women from across the region gather together to complete either one or two 4.5-mile laps of Lichfield’s streets from 10pm.
“We are really excited about the Solstice Walk – not only is it a chance to dress up as a fairy while raising funds for St Giles, but it’s also an opportunity to become a world-record holder!” added Deborah Porter-Walker, from Smurfit Kappa Recycling UK.
“Our packaging team will be working their magic to make 1,000 wands for us to hand out to the fancy-dress fairies that help in the attempt to break the record for the hospice.”
Small businesses are able to take their waste paper and cardboard for recycling at the company’s Tamworth depot with proceeds generated through this process being donated to St Giles.
A paper bank that the public can use is also located outside Tamworth Football Club’s Lamb Ground in Kettlebrook Road.
Entry to the Solstice Walk is £15 and participants are also encouraged to raise extra funds for St Giles Hospice through sponsorship. Although the event is open only to women aged 16 and over, men are welcome to join in the fun by volunteering as stewards.
To sign up or to find out more about the Solstice Walk, contact Linda Bridges on 01543 432538 or by email at linda.bridges@st-giles-hospice.org.uk, or visit www.stgileshospice.com/solsticewalk.
