A Torquay woman has signed up to take part in The Rowcroft Sleep Walk in memory of her parents, both of whom were cared for at the hospice.
Keeleigh Acton, 20-years-old, has signed up to complete the five mile route in this year’s swashbuckling, pirate-themed night walk, to raise vital funds for the hospice after supporting her Mum in 2010 and Dad in 2016.
Keeleigh explained: “I’ve decided to take part in The Rowcroft Sleep Walk because it is important to me to support my local hospice; they cared for my mum in her final weeks after her two year battle with cancer and also for my father who, from finding out he had cancer in early December, died the following July.
“Both my parents where cared for very well and made as comfortable as possible during their time at Rowcroft, the staff were very supportive and the hospice had beautiful facilities for time to reflect.”
Keeleigh will join thousands of ladies for Rowcroft’s annual ladies-only night walk on Saturday 8 July, all of whom will be walking their choice of five or ten mile night walks to raise vital funds for Rowcroft.
Events Manager, Daniel Robson, explained: “The atmosphere on the night of The Rowcroft Sleep Walk is amazing with thousands of women choosing to support Rowcroft for very personal reasons.
“In 2016 we introduced the Lights of Love to The Sleep Walk route, an area where walkers are invited to light a candle and make a donation to Rowcroft in memory of their loved ones. The area will be back on Roundham Head in 2017, glowing as our walkers remember the special people they’ve loved.”
Since it began in 2011 The Rowcroft Sleep Walk has helped raise more than £1,000,000 to help local families living with life-limiting illnesses to share precious time together.
Keeleigh added: “I’m excited about the event as I’ve never done anything like it before and I’ve finally been brave enough to enter on my own without having to rely on other people to do it with me.
“To train I’ll be ensuring I go on lots of long walks in my spare time with my beloved family dog, Baxter. My Dad bought him as a puppy for us in 2009.
“I have set up a Just Giving page in the hope I can raise money to help Rowcroft, I have a target of £350 and I’m already 70% of the way there.”
Places are still available for anyone thinking of taking part in The Rowcroft Sleep Walk, and until Friday 31 March ladies can enter for the reduced price of £15 by entering code WASD17 at www.rowcroftsleepwalk.org.uk.
Keeleigh added: “I would like to think that taking part in The Rowcroft Sleep Walk will make my parents proud of me.
“I would encourage people to take part because even if, like me, you are not that fit, you can still walk the five miles – you’ll still be pushing yourself and raising money for a good cause.”
