Wanted – 25 men in pink, flashing, fluffy ears!

PLANS for the fifth Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) Gemstone Midnight Walk have been announced, as the ever-popular ladies’ night-time challenge returns on Saturday, July 12, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the hospice – with 25 silver places up for grabs for MEN!

Rowan and Zane modelling the Gemstone Midnight Walk pink, flashing, furry ears wo

In this very special Silver Jubilee year, the Hospice Charity is encouraging friends and family members to nominate a partner, husband, brother or granddad, who might like to take on the six or 13-mile challenge alongside over 700 ladies, and explain why they should be awarded one of the special silver walker places.

There are only 25 places available and the ballot for these will open on Saturday, March, 8, to tie-in with the official launch of the Gemstone Midnight Walk in Friars Square Shopping Centre, 10 am-4pm. Nominations for these silver places must be received by Midday on Friday, April 25, (terms & conditions apply) by emailing 25@fnhospice.org.uk. Alternatively, you can nominate your special ‘man’ by post to the Charity head office – details at www.fnhospice.org.uk Representatives from the Charity will then select the lucky 25 participants, who will be donning the pink flashing bunny ears and taking to the streets of Aylesbury (starting at Aylesbury College) at Midnight.

Along with 25 silver places on offer, there are a few new twists to this year’s walk, including changes to the previous route (to be announced) and splashes of silver throughout the night in celebration of our Silver Jubilee year, as well as the trademark bunny ears!

The last four Midnight Walks have raised over £250k for the Florence Nightingale Hospice, and it is hoped that this year’s event will tip that figure over the £300,000 mark. Last July, hundreds of flashing bunny ears lit up the Oxford Road as 754 ladies (a record turnout) strode out from Aylesbury College to undertake this formidable challenge in aid of the local Hospice. FNHC Development & Events lead, Karen Shardlow, is keen to see that number increase once again: “We’re always very lucky to have so many men come forward and marshal our Midnight Walk, so we thought it would be great to involve a few of them in the walking itself in our very special year. We’re really looking forward to seeing how well our lucky few men can do alongside so many women – bunny ears compulsory of course!”

She added: “With a few surprises to be announced in celebration of our 25th anniversary, we’re hoping our fundraising goal looks even more achievable. We are offering 25 ‘silver places’ exclusively to men, who want to show their support for the Hospice. This will be the first time male walkers have been invited to participate in this event, and those lucky few will be asked to commit to a special sponsorship target of £500.”

The Charity is also appealing for willing male and female volunteers to help marshal or help set up the event again this year: “The en route support provided by all the marshals from the local community, including the Buckinghamshire Freemasons, is an incredible boost for walkers and adds to the fantastic camaraderie that characterizes the evening, as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of all our walkers,” added Sam Heggie, FNHC’s PR & Marketing Manager.

Ladies who would like to take part can register their interest via the dedicated Gemstone Midnight Walk website www.gemstonewalk.co.uk or contact the Fundraising Team on 01296 429975 before main registration launches on March 8th.

A number of celebrity faces have lent their support to the walk over the years, including Aylesbury lass Lynda Bellingham, singer Tony Hadley, actress Anita Dobson and local footballer Emmerson Boyce.

The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) needs to raise over £600,000 this year to keep essential in-patient and at-home services running for local families affected by life-limiting illness across Aylesbury Vale and surrounding area.

SOURCE: Contributed