Despite feeling the wrath of the pandemic, St Luke’s Hospice – a well-known and local institution in North London – carried on with their annual Midnight Walk which was postponed last year due to the lockdown.
Over 650 people gathered at Bryon Park in Harrow to join the much-missed charity walk in the area.
The walk usually attracts over 1500 people, but numbers were reduced this year due to the implications of the pandemic. However, for the first time men were permitted to join this flagship charity walk.
The walk was officially started by one of the Founding Members and Chief Patron of the Hospice, Lord Dolar Popat who cut the ribbon for the walk. The grand launch was marked with support from the Kingsbury Temple. Local fitness groups were invited to help with the warmup activities.
The annual walk first started in 2008 and has been growing year on year ever since. Participants came together from all communities, backgrounds, abilities and ages ranging all the way from 16 to 80, to take part in a specially coordinated walk around Harrow. The walk was particularly popular, as many had the experience of walking throughout the pandemic.
Speaking at the start of the walk at Bryon Hall, Harrow Lord Popat said, “Last year has been a very difficult year for all of us. A year in which the whole world has turned upside down. However, the pandemic has also shown the very best of humanity – in helping us to become more considerate and supportive of each other.”
“St Luke’s Hospice has always been an incredibly valuable resource for our community…however, this pandemic has made the role of St Luke’s even more important in supporting families.”
Lord Popat paid a special tribute to all the volunteering team at St Luke’s Hospice – particularly key frontline workers - who had worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to put their lives at risk for the safety of others.
Alpana Malde, Chief Executive of St Luke’s Hospice also said, “it is wonderful to see so many people come out again after a difficult year to support such a superb charity. The funds raised tonight will make a difference in the lives of so many local people.”
The Hospice is currently open to everyone with an incurable illness, providing invaluable care, not just to patients, but support for family and carers. St Luke’s has become a haven for people to die with dignity and is heavily subscribed.
This year’s walk is expected to raise over £260,000 to help continue free care for patients. To find out more about St Luke’s, or to find out how to get involved with other fundraising activities, please visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.
