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Heart of Kent Hospice’s Bluebell Walk is back in 2022

UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / February 04, 2022 / Help raise funds for Heart of Kent Hospice by signing up to their annual ‘Bluebell Walk’ which will take place on Sunday 1 May 2022.


The ‘Bluebell Walk’ attracted 1,500 walkers in previous years and the Hospice team is hoping many more will sign up to take part next year and make it their best walk yet! The annual event see’s walkers of all ages enjoy a ramble through the Kent countryside while enjoying the beautiful bluebell vistas.


The main six-mile walk will now have a choice of two routes, with a new alternative bypassing the stiles at Lower Dean Farm.


A new two and a half mile ‘mini Bluebell Walk’ has also been introduced which is perfect for little legs or those who feel less able to complete the full six-mile walk. Whilst this route may be subject to a little rough terrain it offers the advantage of not having any stiles. It doesn’t however pass through the ‘Field of Memories’ or the picnic stop, but cold drinks will be provided on the route.


All routes will start from Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Rd, Harrietsham, Maidstone ME17 1AP.

Rachel Street, Chief Executive at Heart of Kent Hospice said “The Bluebell Walk is such a special way to remember loved ones and celebrate the care they received from the Hospice, whilst raising funds to enable us to continue to provide outstanding care to the growing number of local people that need us now and in the future.


“One of our supporters describes her walk in 2019 perfectly when she said ‘I loved the Bluebell Walk, the sunshine, the peacefulness and the bird song. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning, there is no better way to reflect and remember.’”


Walkers can select which route you wish to take on the day and marshals will be providing directions along all the routes. Cold drinks will be available at various stops along all the routes including at the ‘Field of Memories’ where walkers can remember a loved one.


For anyone who has packed a picnic there will be a special picnic stop along the way with hot or cold drinks available. They will also be running a range of family friendly activities throughout the walk.


All ages are welcome to take part in the Bluebell Walk but buggies and wheelchairs are not recommended due to uneven terrain and some stiles. Dogs on leads are welcome but please note that larger dogs may find it difficult to cross some of the stiles on the longer route and may therefore need to be carried over.


Early Bird Booking is now open https://www.hokh.org/support-us/events/bluebell-walk-2022/

Tickets for the six-mile route: £10 an adult, £3 a child, £25 a family (2 adults and 2 children).


The Mini Bluebell walk (2.5 miles) tickets are: £5 an adult, £3 a child, £13 a family (2 adults and 2 children.

A new format has been introduced for next year with pre-assigned half hour time slots between 8:00am and 11:00am to help with any social distancing requirements which may be applicable at this time. At registration you will be able to select your preferred start time.


We are asking walkers to raise sponsorship by participating in the Bluebell Walk. All money raised from the event contributes to the £4 million Heart of Kent Hospice raises from the generosity of the local community every year. The Hospice provides specialist care and support for terminally ill people and their loved ones, so they can have the best quality of life, for as long as they live.


Media enquiries, interview and image requests to Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 or 07775 943304.


For questions about the Bluebell Walk contact the fundraising team at

Heart of Kent Hospice on email at events@hokh.co.uk or call 07484 527992

 

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Notes to Editor:

For more information, please contact Cheri Strudwick, Head of Communications, Heart of Kent Hospice on 07814078660 or email Cheri Strudwick Cheri.Strudwick@hokh.co.uk or visit www.hokh.org


About the Hospice

Heart of Kent Hospice has been providing free, compassionate, end-of-life care to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge and Malling and the surrounding towns and villages for the past 31 years.


The Hospice has built an excellent reputation within the local community for the quality of our care, which has been further endorsed by the Care Quality Commission who awarded us with an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ following an inspection in February 2017.


Our vision is for everyone living with a terminal illness in our community to achieve the best quality of life. We are committed to achieving this by enabling them to live in comfort, with independence and dignity to the end of their lives, and to support those closest to them.


Last year the Hospice cared for over 1,700 patients and their families in their own homes or at our Aylesford-based Hospice. Our services cost £5 million a year to run and we depend heavily on our loyal supporters, whose generous donations and fundraising activity account for £3 out of every £4 spent on our services.


For regular news and updates relating to the Hospice, please follow us on social media:

•   www.facebook.com/HeartOfKentHospice

•   https://twitter.com/heartofkenthosp

There are lots of ways people can support Heart of Kent Hospice. Find out more here https://www.hokh.org/support-us/events/

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