Sunrise success celebrating 10th anniversary
On a bright and very warm Sunday morning, 25 June, hundreds of early birds took part in the Richmond Sunrise Walk to raise vital funds for families we support. So far we have raised an amazing £20,000 and counting.
Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of our flagship event, setting off from Ham House in Richmond at 4.30am, and eventually circling back after completing one of two routes. The two routes the wonderful walkers took on were a 10km and 20km, through the area’s most beautiful and picturesque sights including Richmond Park, Richmond Hill, along by The Thames, Ham Common, Bushy Park and Hampton Court Palace all bathed in glorious dawn sunshine. The Sunrise Walk’s offer a perfect opportunity to reflect, celebrate and remember loved ones, as walkers were able to hang decorated lanterns before they set off. They also observed a minute’s silence to pay tribute to bereaved families.
Throughout the walk participants were revived with some welcome refreshments at Hampton Court Palace for the 20km route and Richmond Hill Hotel for the 10km. This year’s walkers made up of groups, individuals, friends and families, and their four-legged friends – smiled, strode and bounded their way throughout the routes, in beautifully warm and bright conditions. In celebration of their achievements the walkers were rewarded with a sustainable wooden commemorative medal and cheers as they crossed the finish line.
Alexa Dizon, Head of Challenge Events at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “We want to thank all the lovely supporters who came out in the early hours, and it was wonderful to see some of the families we support join us to walk in celebration and in memory. It is an event that has always been so warmly received so was amazing to celebrate 10 years of our Richmond Sunrise Walk.”
There is still time to sign up and see the sunrise in support of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices with our Reigate Sunrise Walk on Saturday 8 July, as well as our tougher challenge the Sunrise Trek Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in September. Sign up to our Sunrise Series here.
