‘Give My Head Peace’ star Alexandra Ford, aka Dympha, joins Marie Curie volunteer Danielle Stanfield and Marie Curie Nurse Jill Doherty to call on people across Northern Ireland to support the charity by signing up to one of two Walk Ten events taking place in Northern Ireland this year.
The 10k walks are being held at Stormont Estate on Friday 30th August and the Ulster American Folk Park on Saturday 7th September. The events aim to raise as much money as possible to allow Marie Curie to continue to provide free nursing care to terminally ill people in their own homes and at the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast.
On arrival at each event, which starts at 6pm, participants will be given the opportunity to write a personal message on a candle bag and help light up the night in memory of a loved one.
Live music and entertainment will also follow the 10k walk including radio road shows from U105 (Walk Ten Belfast) and Q Radio (Walk Ten West) fire poi artists, face painting and balloon modelling.
At 10pm, there will be a firework display paying tribute to the Marie Curie Nurses. This is the time that many nurses start their night shifts, caring for people with terminal illnesses and their families in their own homes, right across Northern Ireland or at the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast.
All participants are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy after the walk as they relax and enjoy the entertainment provided.
Suzy McIlveen, Events Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Walk Ten is a unique event that gives people the chance to enjoy a summer evening walk in beautiful surroundings, followed by a fun, festival-like atmosphere and activities to share with family and friends.
By signing up for either Walk Ten Belfast or Walk Ten West and raising funds, you’ll be helping to make it possible for Marie Curie Nurses to provide more care to terminally ill patients, and vital emotional support to their families, at the time when they need it most. The more money you raise, the more care we can provide.”
Commenting on her support for the Walk Ten events, ‘Give My Head Peace’ star, Alexandra Ford said: “My best friend signed up for Walk Ten Belfast last year, with a group of friends and fellow school Mums. They loved every aspect of the event, combining as it does a twilight walk with live entertainment, picnics, good music and fireworks! They have all signed up already for Walk Ten Belfast 2013, this year I am joining them!
Having seen the photos from last year’s event, I was very moved by the personalised candle bags with messages to lost loved ones. Mine would read – In memory of my beloved Granddad who Marie Curie kindly looked after.
To register for Walk Ten, or for more information, go to www.mariecurie.org.uk/stormont www.mariecurie.org.uk/west or call 0845 052 4184.
Registration is £10 per person (children under-16 go free; on the night adult registration is £20) and everyone is asked to aim to raise £100 each to support Marie Curie – this is equivalent to five hours of Marie Curie nursing care locally.
