A DROITWICH family will take part in a lantern-lit walk at a county National Trust site in memory of their grandmother Jane Howitt and to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice.
Melissa Parkinson signed up for the first St Richard’s Hospice Lantern Walk through Croome’s parkland.
The 41-year-old will walk the 1.5 mile route with her family at dusk on February 10, helping to illuminate the night sky with hand-held lanterns bearing LED candles.
The walk will be especially poignant for the family as they last visited Croome with Jane in 2016.
Mrs Parkinson said: “As a family we decided to complete the walk to support the amazing work St Richard’s does within the community.
“Croome holds a very special place in our hearts as it was the last place we were all able to visit together as a family with nan before she became too ill.
“This will be the first time returning to Croome since our family day so I’m sure it will be a little emotional but also a time where we can remember and smile.”
Mrs Parkinson’s grandmother was cared for by St Richard’s both in her own home and at the hospice’s in-patient Unit.
“My nan received dignity, friendship and support, not only at the time when she was an in-patient but also through the Hospice at Home team.
“The service St Richard’s provides is so invaluable and I cannot praise and thank all who are connected with it enough – without you, this period of our lives would have been far, far worse.
“You enabled us as a family to be able to make more happy, lasting memories.”
The Lantern Walk is the first of its kind hosted by St Richard’s, and will see parts of the route lit up, giving walkers a unique experience of Croome at night.
St Richard’s fund-raiser Kelly Johns said: “We’re delighted Melissa and her family are taking part in our Lantern Walk.
“Their story is so moving, and we hope the evening will be a fitting way to remember their loved one.
“We’re looking forward welcoming everyone along to our first Lantern Walk, whether they’re remembering someone special, or just enjoying an atmospheric walk around the parkland, we’re sure it will be a great evening.”
Visit strichards.org.uk/lantern-walk to buy tickets for the event.
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/melissaparkinson2018 to donate to Mrs Parkinson’s fund-raising efforts.
