Pilgrims Hospices Moonlight Walk - A Night To Remember

The Moonlight Walks are a chance to have fun, support a worthy cause, and perhaps remember a loved one. Picture the scene - the moonlight silhouetting hundreds of women walking together clad in fancy dress, glow sticks in hand, laughter coursing through the group. Imagine the sense of achievement as you reach the finish line, knowing that your support has made a genuine difference to people with life-limiting illnesses.

The walks in Deal and Ashford have now happened to great celebration (please see our news page for details), but don't despair if you missed them! This year we have introduced a third walk in Herne Bay on Saturday 18th September. So, ladies, if you're aged between 12 and 112 you'd better start limbering up, as the walk will be here before you know it! Young girls from the age of 12** can also now get involved, so get your family together, dig out your comfy walking shoes and have a night to remember in support of Pilgrims Hospices.

HERNE BAY
Saturday 18th September
13km (8.1 miles) route beginning at the Pier Pavilion Sports Centre, Herne Bay
9:00pm

The seafront will come alive as hundreds of ladies brandish flashing lights and sparkly outfits to walk the 13km (8 mile) coastal path to Whitstable and back. The event starts and ends at Pier Pavilion Centre which is very generously hosting the event. Stock up on your carbs with an early walkers' BBQ at the Bandstand Café Bar from 6.30pm. Chat with KMFM's Breakfast Show DJ Neil "Redders" Redding, then groove to the sounds of our resident Moonlight Walk DJ and Your Music School steel band.

You can even meet Nicki Chapman, the star of Pop Idol, Escape to the Country, Chelsea Flower Show and Wanted Down Under, who is walking this year!

Nicki said, "I'm delighted to take part and support the Pilgrims Hospice Moonlight Walk on Saturday 18th September.  I've seen the marvellous work this charity does, as Canterbury Pilgrims Hospice cared for my Uncle in the last few weeks of his life.  I'm doing this walk not only to remember my Uncle, but also to help raise funds so the Charity can continue this vital work, caring for the people of East Kent when they really need it.

So, ladies and girls what ever your ages please join me for this fun evening - keeping fit, having a few giggles along with way and raising some money for a tremendous local cause!"

Herne Bay on-the-day event information

The entry price is £15 per person which includes a special Moonlight Walk t-shirt and finisher's medal. All sponsorship amounts will be gratefully received. 

**Please note that children between the ages of 12 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Groups with under 18s must include at least one adult.

Click here to register 

Alternatively you can download a leaflet and post your booking to the address provided on the form.

Click here to read about our supporters

Download your sponsor form now and start raising money! For more details please contact 01227 782062.

Create your personalised sponsorship page on the brand new fundraising site Virgin Money Giving. Click on the logo above to go straight through to their website. Using this system will save Pilgrims Hospices a great deal of money compared to Just Giving, which charges a higher percentage of the dontaions.

You can also become our friend on Facebook by searching for the "Pilgrims Hospices" group profile. 

Volunteers - MEN are not excluded from this event! Although the walk itself is for ladies only, there are many other ways that men can get involved. Why not volunteer as a marshal, help at the registration desks etc. For more information please contact:

Herne Bay Moonlight Walk: Contact Deborah Kellond on 01227 459700 or email deborah_kellond@pilgrimshospice.org

We need around 60 volunteers (both men and women) so please get in touch if you are able to help, either during the planning and promotion stages or on the night. Your support is always welcomed and appreciated.  

Top tips to prepare for your walk

Footwear

• Just wear what you find comfortable - trainers or hiking boots.
• You will be walking on tarmac for most of the time so wear footwear that lets your feet breathe as sweaty feet equals blisters!
• It's obvious but don't make this the first outing for your new trainers.

Essential extras

• Water - to keep you hydrated.
• High-energy snacks - your body clock will be telling you its time to sleep when you still have several kilometres to walk.
• Warm waterproof clothing - we are hoping for mild weather but we are in Britain.
• A torch - we can at least predict it will be dark!

Training

• Remember we are all WALKING for Pilgrims Hospices - it's not a marathon. The route is relatively flat so novices should not have too much difficulty. 
• When training, little and often is the key, starting two or three weeks before the walk. We recommend at least three training sessions, two mid week and one at the weekend.  Remember to have a method of contact if walking alone - carry your mobile phone with you and make sure people know where you are and when you are due back.
• For gym users the distance should be no problem, but walking uses different muscles and the amount of walking exercise the average person undertakes is surprisingly little.
• You should start each session slowly and gently, then some stretches before going all out. Finish each session with leg stretches.
• Build up your distance or time. You can use your car to measure the route. The starting point for beginners should be around 1k during the week building up to 3k at weekends. Choose an interesting route, vary the speed of your walk and keep a steady pace, no need for speed walking.
• Finally, enjoy yourself and the fresh air.