Oakhaven walkers raise £110,000 for Lymington hospice
NEARLY 500 walkers raised more than £100,000 during this year’s Oakhaven stroll.
The popular event saw a record-breaking 483 participants walking the routes to the Pennington hospice from Sandbanks, Mudeford and Barton. The sun shone on the walkers, which was a surprise to many who had packed for forecast wet weather.
Head of fundraising Melanie Stone thanked everyone who walked and supported the event, raising £110,000 – “a fantastic amount in sponsorship”.
She added: “A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, without whom the event could not have gone ahead. You kept our walkers going with your smiles and encouragement, pointing them in the right direction, registering them at checkpoints and handing out refreshments.
“We are grateful also to Land & Wave, the Beachcomber Café and Hoburne Naish Holiday Park for welcoming us, to Rapid Relief for providing water and to the Oakhaven kitchen for the delicious sandwiches.”
She also thanked event sponsors Pennyfarthing Homes, Hartwood House, Circle Insurance, New Forest Activities and Richard Griffiths & Co, for underwriting much of the event costs so that all the sponsorship will directly support families.
The hospice provides specialist palliative care and end-of-life care to patients with a medical referral who live in the New Forest, Totton and Waterside. Demand is growing with around 350 patients plus their families currently receiving support in the hospice or their homes from the Oakhaven teams.
In addition to patient referrals, Oakhaven Wellbeing provides support to those with life-limiting illnesses, caring for loved ones or experiencing a loss or bereavement. Last year around 3,200 people visited the Coates Centre to benefit from this support.
All the walk proceeds will help fund Oakhaven’s day-to-day running costs which last year amounted to £8 million. With only 11% met by the NHS, the hospice relies on donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from its charity shops and home care agency, Oakhaven Care.
