Celebrate the lives of loved ones with a Walk to Remember

People across Peterborough are putting their best foot forward this October and walking in honour of their loved ones to raise money for a local hospice.

Walk to Remember 2020 will see people walk a route that means something to them to remember the life of someone special.

It’s being organised by Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, which cares for people with life-limiting conditions as well as supporting their families.

The hospice is hoping local people will don their walking boots and do a 5K or 10K Walk to Remember at a time and location that suits them.

A Walk to Remember is what Paul Ablitt, from Peterborough, did in tribute to his late wife Emma, who was cared for at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in 2019.

Last month, Paul braved torrential wind and rain to walk 360 miles from Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough to Stewarton, a little village in Scotland where his wife was born.

Averaging 33 miles a day, Paul finished his 11 day challenge the day before his 65^thbirthday, and was greeted by his family at the finish line.

Paul, who has raised more than £4,000, is hoping that others will follow in his footsteps and do their own Walk to Remember – although they don’t need to be as far a distance!

“My late wife Emma was admitted to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and from the minute we arrived the care and compassion she received was outstanding,” said Paul. “The hospice team offered excellent organisation and without them I would have struggled in my wife’s final days.

“I wanted to give something back to say thank you. I did this in memory of Emma who would say, ‘You’re mad,’ but would have supported me all the way.

“I would encourage others thinking about a Walk to Remember to go for it – Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice is a brilliant organisation that needs all the support it can get in order to continue its great work.”

Victoria Potter, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “Our new event for 2020 – Walk to Remember – gives people the chance to celebrate the life of someone special and walk in their memory.

“You can choose a 5K or 10K distance and a route that means something to you. It could be somewhere you enjoyed walking with your loved one, or a route which has a special meaning.

“You can walk any day throughout October or join hundreds of others across the country for our official walk day on Saturday, 17th October.

“You can encourage your friends, families and colleagues to join you. Even if you can’t walk together physically, you can start at the same time and share your photos and special moments with one another.

“Entry is free, but it’s your donations and fundraising that will make all the difference to patients and families needing our expert care. Sign up today at: sueryder.org/walktoremember”

Contact the hospice’s fundraising team at or on 01733 225 999 for more information about the Walk to Remember 2020.

You can support Paul through JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Ablitt

Top photo: Paul setting out on his walk