Ipswich's superhero walkers smash last year's hospice fundraising total

Why it matters: All proceeds go to St Elizabeth Hospice, which provides support to more than 4,000 patients and families a year living with life-limiting illnesses across East and Mid-Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

By the numbers:

• £100,000+ raised on the night, with donations still arriving
• £72,000+ raised at last year's event
• 1,000+ walkers taking part
• 6 or 9 miles – the two route distances on offer
• 4,000+ patients and families supported by the hospice each year

The details: Held on Saturday, 16 May, and sponsored by Knights Lowe, this year's event saw supporters don superhero-themed costumes for sponsored walks of either six or nine miles.

The route started at Christchurch Park before taking walkers to the hospice grounds, where they were invited to write messages in memory of loved ones on a Memory Wall. The walk then continued past landmarks including Ipswich Town Hall, The Regent Theatre and Christchurch Park.

What they're saying: James Fox-Golding, events and challenges manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "With donations still coming, we are absolutely thrilled with the fantastic amount raised this evening!

"A massive well done to all our 'hospice heroes' who took part and completed their walks. Thank you to all the amazing supporters who cheered the walkers on and to our fantastic volunteers who helped make the Midnight Walk possible. A special well done to members of our clinical team who took part in the walk too. You are all 'hospice heroes' too!

"The Midnight Walk is a great community event and every penny raised makes such a difference to our hospice services, which provide support to patients and their families when compassionate care matters most."

A personal tribute: Among the walkers was Gemma Holland, who took part as part of "Team Terry" in memory of her father Terry Holland, who died last December while under the care of the hospice.

"Wow what a night. This year's Midnight Walk was like no other for me. Doing this in memory of Dad made it so much more meaningful and emotional," she said.

"The atmosphere really was electric, as everyone came together to support one another and to show their love for the hospice. All the volunteers were amazing and the range of costumes were great to see too. Even a little bit of rain didn't dampen spirits!

"Team Terry were so proud to take part in the Midnight Walk and to help raise vital funds for St Elizabeth Hospice's fantastic, compassionate care."

The bottom line: With more than £100,000 raised and donations still coming in, the 2026 Midnight Walk has comfortably outstripped last year's £72,000 total – delivering a significant boost to the independent Suffolk charity's services.

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice, call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

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