Staff at Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech shine a light on charity fundraiser

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity's Star Shine Walk will still take place this year… becoming a virtual event for the first time ever! This new version of the popular memory walk, invites participants to accumulate 20,000 steps between tomorrow (Saturday), and June 6.

Now in its twelfth year the walk usually brings together 500 walkers, many of whom choose to walk in memory of someone they love. The well-loved event is historically one of the Hospice’s biggest fundraisers, having raised over £375,000 during its eleven-year history – thanks to the enthusiastic sponsorship efforts of the walkers who take part.

Today (Friday) staff at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech, which is run by Arthur Rank, helped officially launch this year's event by taking part in a social distancing walk around the town park.

The walkers, who included Toni Bird, the centre's fundraising co-ordinator, hoped to complete a few thousand steps each towards the final target, which they will complete individually at home and during their daily exercise.

Arthur Rank's events officer, Angeline Liles said:“Anyone can take part, wherever you live! We’re especially thrilled to be able to still offer this special event to our loyal supporters, many of whom take part year after year. The money raised through sponsorship is absolutely vital for ensuring Cambridgeshire’s

Hospice can keep caring for those who need our services, which are all free of charge to the 4,000 plus patients we care for each year.

"At this time our normal fundraising activities have been hit hard, and yet it’s a time when we need to raise more funds than ever.”

The target of 20,000 steps is the equivalent of the 10 mile route originally planned for the event, which would have wound around the iconic streets of Cambridge. It is a significant challenge but has been designed so that it can be achieved in line with the Government's latest guidelines around exercise. The change of plan has been extremely well-received by walkers.

Toni concluded: "Please support us and donate today - No matter the size, every donation makes a positive difference in enabling us to continue to care for local people when they need us. "

Later in the year, the charity will host an official Star Shine Celebration Evening at its Shelford Bottom home - where finishers’ medals will be handed out, and the recognition of individual and collaborative achievements will be the order of the day

To donate visit Justgiving, or to join in visit starsshinenightwalk.co.uk