Wisbech’s first Star Shine Walk raises more than £10,000 for Arthur Rank Charity

Dozens of brightly-attired walkers trod the streets of Wisbech on Saturday evening for the town’s first Star Shine Walk and raised at least £10,000 for the Alan Hudson Centre.

Some 175 people walked a six-kilometre circular route starting and finishing at the beautiful Elgoods Brewery gardens in the North Brink, supported by 30 marshals and volunteers.

They were raising money for the much-loved centre, which is part of The Arthur Rank Charity and provides palliative care, rehabilitation services and pain management for the Fenland community.

Arthur Rank holds a popular walk every year in Cambridge, where it also has a base, but this was the first event in Wisbech.

A mixture of staff, friends, families of those treated by the centre and members of the community took part in the walk, and its £10,000 target has already been beaten, with more money to come in.

Walkers, resplendent in their official bright green Star Shine T-shirts and other accessories, took in the North Brink, the Town Bridge, Peckover House and the Clarkson Memorial and were supported by enthusiastic residents and motorists en route.

They also had the chance to remember loved ones by writing their names on special memorials pinned to the backs of their T-shirts.

Organiser Toni Bird, community partnership officer at the centre, said: “It is really hard to envision an event when you are in the early stages of planning, and I never imagined for a second that it would all come together so well.

“I am overwhelmed by the support I had before the event, and all the wonderful comments I have had after. With all your support, I can't wait to make next year even more terrific.”

Alan Hudson Centre matron Michelle Knight, who also took part in the walk, added: “I am so grateful to all who attended and supported our first ever Star Shine Walk.

“It was a truly memorable event, and I hope one that will become a firm part of the community calendar.

“While this event raised vital funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity I hope it provided comfort to all who attended, remembering a loved one.”

Toni said the event could not have been held without the support of the following:

Main sponsors Boxcross; boxer and businessman Jordan Gill for leading walkers through a warm-up; Belinda and Jane from Elgoods for gifting use of their grounds and providing refreshments afterwards; Lyncroft Care Home for hosting a halfway stop, with refreshments provided by Tesco and singing by Your Choir; Wards Medical Services for First Aid support; Ian Larkin, who entertained walkers before the event; The Drone Guy, who captured the event from the sky; Tweet, who took photos of the event; and John Tonks for entertaining with his magic.