Marathon effort for charity
Alexandra Gregg • Published 21 Sep 2012 07:30
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A WOMAN will pay tribute to a friend who died of pancreatic cancer by walking 13 miles for charity this weekend.
Geraldine Corbitt, from Firlands, in Harmans Water, will be taking part in Thames Hospicecare's (THC) A Walk To Remember tomorrow (Saturday, September 22) to help raise cash for the charity and pay homage to her close friend Jan Burdon, from Crowthorne.
The 63-year-old said: "I hadn't given much thought to cancer until about ten years ago when Jan was diagnosed and died within five months of the diagnosis. This was really a wake-up call.
"Until then, I suspect like most people, I thought that a hospice was just somewhere where elderly people went to die. How wrong I was."
When Jan was taken ill, Mrs Corbitt got to see first-hand the work that THC does in helping and caring for people affected by cancer.
She added: "I believe that the work done by THC must continue and that's why I've signed up to do the walk.
"Joining others at sunrise to raise money for such an important cause, while remembering loved ones, family members or close friends, will be very special."
Funds raised by Mrs Corbitt and the other walkers - who will meet in Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, at dawn - will support various activities and contribute to Thames Hospicecare's Hospice at Home Appeal.
This initiative aims to raise £315,000 so more people can be cared for where they are happiest and most comfortable - at home with or near to their family.
Michelle Bowdidge, senior events fundraiser at THC, said: "We really hope more people will sign up to take part in this new special event.
"By doing so, you will help us to continue providing specialist palliative care and help us to expand our service to people in their own homes."
Registration costs £15, and includes a registration pack, light breakfast after the walk, a commemorative certificate and a chance to leave a message on the memory trees during the walk.
To register for the event, see www.thameshospicecare.org.uk or call 01753 848963.
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