YOUNG at heart pensioners are stepping out for a midnight rendevouz to raise hundreds of pounds for a local hospice in memory of a very dear friend.
Nine members of Cockerton Methodist Ladies Group have signed up to take part in the annual St Teresa’s Hospice Midnight Walk which each year raises thousands of pounds for the Darlington charity.
The ladies, who range in age from 69 to 82, will be walking in memory of fellow Cockerton Methodist Ladies Group member Christine Johnson, 75, of Darlington, who passed away earlier this year from pancreatic cancer.
Group member Pat Skipsey, 75, of Darlington, who has also been a volunteer at St Teresa’s Hospice for over 20 years, said: “Christine received wonderful end of life care at St Teresa’s and I know that she would be very pleased and proud that we are all walking together to help raise money to support the hospice.
“Many of us have been members of Cockerton Methodist Ladies Group, along with Christine, for almost 50 years and as soon as I asked if we should do the walk in her memory everyone agreed.
“Many people think hospices are sad places but St Teresa’s is such a wonderful happy place, full of love and laughter and they offer such amazing care that I do hope we can raise as much money as possible to help support the work they do.”
Ladies taking part in the walk alongside Pat will include Rita Naylor, Dorothy Creek, Moira Grout, Roz Downing, Judy Masterman, Enid Banham, Irene Hobson and Jean Forster.
“All the money raised will go towards supporting patients at the hospice,” added Pat.
“The day care facilities they provide, such as physiotherapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, hairdressing and beauty therapies, relaxation treatments, cake decorating, flower arranging, and providing a three course meal and drinks, are incredible and all free to patients.
“And the in-patient unit is currently expanding to be able to increase accommodation from five to ten patients so every penny raised will really count.”
