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A Girls Night Out With A Difference!

A Girls Night Out With A Difference!

For most of us, many a girls’ night out sees us tucked up in bed with a cuppa, before midnight. But this month, one local charity asks us to grab our girlfriends and take on a magical walk during the witching hour, all to raise funds (and have fun!) for their cause. 

We caught up with Copthorne resident, Lisa Jarvis to hear why she’ll be shunning bedtime, in favour of taking a midnight stroll in memory of her mum…

“My mum was cared for by St Catherine’s Hospice and I’ll be taking part in the Midnight Walk as part of the team ‘Rita’s Ramblers’, aptly named after mum,” she says.

“I remember, at first, mum felt scared about going into the hospice, as I’m sure a lot of people do. She was terrified of being alone and one of her biggest fears was she might die at night.

But at St Catherine’s no patient is ever alone; we were allowed to sleep right next to mum’s bed, holding her hand. “When the nurses had settled all the patients and could quite easily have taken a well-earned rest themselves, they didn’t. They were still there for me and my family.

They talked to us, reassured us, cuddled us if we needed it and above all, made us feel that we weren’t alone as we went through the most difficult time of our lives.

“One of the best things about the care St Catherine’s gave was being able to go back to being mum’s daughter, not her carer.

I was given the chance to say all the things I wanted to and spend quality time with her during those last few days without worrying,” Lisa continues.

“Taking part in the Midnight Walk is a fantastic way to give something back to the hospice for the amazing care they gave, not just Mum, but everyone they care for.

“On the night, there’s an incredible atmosphere and a strong sense of empowerment and collaboration. It’s great to see so many women coming together to raise money and help the hospice and it’s pretty special being a part of that!”

St Catherine’s Midnight Walk starts on July 2 in Horsham Park and walkers can choose between a 7, 13 or 20 mile route – so grab your trainers, the girls and get walking!

Sign up via: www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk.

By Shelley Baker

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