'Walk to Remember' raises £7,000

Tŷ Hafan

A memorial sunrise walk from Penarth to Sully has raised more than £7,000 for Tŷ Hafan .

28 people set off from Penarth Pier at dawn last Saturday for a six-mile hike along the coastal path to the children's hospice.

'A Walk to Remember' - the first event of its kind held by Tŷ Hafan - was designed as an opportunity for those taking part to remember a loved one.

Jodana Weekley, events manager at Tŷ Hafan, said: "The weather couldn't have been more perfect as we walked, talked and remembered our loved ones while the sun rose across the sea."

"When we reached Tŷ Hafan, we were met by our wonderful volunteers who were on hand with hot drinks and breakfast rolls which we all enjoyed together on the deck."
 
"A huge thank you to everyone who came along. It was a pleasure to spend this beautiful morning with you, reflecting and remembering. Together you've raised over £7,000, which is incredible and we're beyond grateful for your support."

Among those who took part was Michelle Murdoch, whose son Louis died in 2016, after he was diagnosed with the genetic neuromuscular disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

 

"It was eight years ago, almost to the day, that Louis passed away in Tŷ Hafan," said Michelle. 

"We live in Milford Haven now and we like to come back to Tŷ Hafan for Louis' birthday and for when he passed away - and we felt that taking part in the Walk to Remember was just a really nice way to remember him." 

Louis was not expected to live to his first birthday - but he survived until he was three-and-a-half years old.

Michelle and her family have remained in touch with the hospice, recently attending a local bereavement memory making class in Pembrokeshire with her daughter, Lily.

She said: "This class was a great way for a sibling like Lily to understand more about Tŷ Hafan as she was born after Louis passed away."

"Louis' dad, Greg, has done a few fundraising events for Tŷ Hafan, including the London Marathon. And over the years our friends and family have done lots of events and fundraising to support in memory of Louis, including the Taff Trail ride, Cardiff Half Marathon and many more."

"It means so much to us that our friends and family continue to support Tŷ Hafan in Louis' memory, he would be so proud." 

Michelle and Greg, who live in Steynton with six-year old Lily and nine year-old Arlo, both raised £2,373 by taking part in the walk.

"Our aim was to raise £200," said Michelle, "and I only put the Justgiving page up a week before the walk itself. In the event we raised more than £2,000, which is amazing and we are so grateful for all the support." 

Earlier this month, a group of 30 nurses and staff raised over £15,000 on a 25km walk from Cardiff to Sully marking the hospice's silver anniversary.

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