Hundreds join Mardi Gras party
as Goodnight Walk
raises thousands
Hundreds of IRHH supporters brought the fun and glamour of Mardi Gras to the streets of Amersham on Saturday 19th June, as they turned out in carnival dress for our Goodnight Walk 2010.
The fourth Goodnight Walk attracted 530 entrants who helped IRHH set a new World Record for 'the longest fancy dress conga in the Chilterns' as BBC Presenter Bill Turnbull set them off from Amersham Polish Club on the eight-mile route.
Thanks to their energy and enthusiasm, and the support of hundreds of others who gave their time and money, the Goodnight Walk looks set to raise in excess of £80,000 for IRHH, providing more nursing care at home for terminally ill patients across the Chilterns.
Community and Events Manager Ruth Barber said: "It was a brilliant night and we are very proud of everyone who gave up their Saturday, and a night's sleep, to support IRHH. Lots of walkers added Mardi Gras glamour to their Goodnight Walk t-shirts, dressing up with garlands, beads and grass skirts. They were a fantastic sight and there was a terrific atmosphere.
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"We asked our walkers to aim to raise £150 each, because that sum pays for 24 hours of IRHH specialist nursing care. With sponsorship raised by the walkers, and funds pledged on the night, we will have made enough to fund a year and a half of nursing care. This is a tremendous result - congratulations and our thanks to everyone involved."
The walkers enjoyed the party atmosphere when they arrived to register, before warming up in the Mardi Gras marquee and setting off on the stroke of midnight. Volunteer marshals lined the route to hand out drinks and snacks, and the hungry walkers enjoyed a well earned breakfast after crossing the finishing line.
The eight-mile route took walkers to Old Amersham and Little Chalfont before returning to the Polish Club, where they were presented with their Goodnight Walk 2010 medal and a thank you present of a foot cooler/soother, kindly donated by Montagne Jeunesse.
Generous donations of sweets and soft drinks from Alworths, and water bottles from drinks company Dayla, helped sustain walkers along the way.
The money raised from this event will be vital for IRHH. With costs increasing to more than £4million a year, and only 10% of funding coming from local Primary Care Trusts, we rely on events like the Goodnight Walk to provide the funds needed to offer nursing care and family support to so many families across the Chilterns.
Photographs courtesy of SKM Photographic Studio
21st June 2010
