Marie Curie urges community to 'light up the night'

End of life charity Marie Curie is calling on the public to hold their own Twilight Walk in September and ‘light up the night’ to help support people impacted by death, dying and bereavement.

The charity continues to face significant challenges and a devastating loss of funds due to Coronavirus. They need to raise £800,000 every month to support people with a terminal illness through its Belfast hospice, nursing care in the community and care homes across the country.

Over 2,000 people took part in the popular annual event last year and even though this year people can’t be together in the same way, the charity are hoping people will be inspired to do their own walks, which are free to sign up to.

Sheena Havlin took part in the Twilight Walk at Barnett Demesne in Belfast last year in memory of her aunt Breda who was cared for by Marie Curie at home in her final days. This year, her family are planning on doing little Twilight Walks separately, as they can’t be together.

Sheena said: “We won’t be able to gather together physically this year as a family, but we’re all planning to do our own Twilight Walk at the same time at different locations – in Omagh, Belfast, Dublin, London and Manchester.  I think it’s a great idea to have people doing lots of small walks with their loved ones and coming together to support such an important cause. There was a lovely sense of camaraderie at the walk last year and we’re looking forward to being part of it again this year in a different way.”

The charity is asking people to create their own Twilight Walk their way and safely walk the suggested 5km distance on your own, together with friends, family or local community.

Commenting on this year’s Twilight Walk, Ciara Gallagher, Marie Curie Northern Ireland Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, said: “The past few months have been extremely challenging with most of our fundraising activities grinding to a halt, and although we can’t all gather together, we’re delighted that people can still be part of Twilight Walk. We are encouraging people to walk with their loved ones on a date of their choice in September and show support for people at end of life and their families.

“Once people have completed their walks, we will all be joining together online for a special evening with U105 on Friday 25 September, where we’ll be creating one big lantern lane to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died,” added Ciara.

For more information on how to take part and to sign up for free to do your very own Twilight Walk you’re invited to visit  www.mariecurie.org.uk/twilightwalk

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