A 73-year-old woman was one of the oldest participants to finish the Walk to Remember, completing the 10-mile walk in just over two hours.

Gale McKinnell took part in the event, organised by St Mary's Hospice, to honour her brother, Dave Huddleston, who passed away in the hospice.

Mrs McKinnell said: "I decided to take part in the walk for my brother Dave Huddleston, who was married in St Mary’s Hospice a week before he died.

"I was amazed at the care and attention he received.

"The hospice had very short notice to organise the wedding and laid on a buffet, which the family will always appreciate.

"My husband and I made out a cheque to cover the costs of the buffet.

"It was so nice the staff wanted to join in the ceremony."

The Walk to Remember is a fundraising initiative where participants honour loved ones while raising money for the hospice.

Despite the event asking participants to raise £35, Mrs McKinnell far surpassed this, raising more than £700.

She said: "St Mary's Hospice means a caring, peaceful, and loving environment.

"I have done the walk three times now.

"I felt excited and emotional on the night, but also very proud to take part.

"It was a nice atmosphere and good fun.

"I enjoyed the camaraderie."

Mrs McKinnell and her husband frequently visit the Orangery Café at the hospice, where they enjoy lunch and support the cause.

She said: "I prefer to support the hospice than anywhere else—the food is really good."

She hopes that the Walk to Remember continues for many years to come, saying: "May the Walk to Remember long continue."

St Mary's Hospice depends heavily on voluntary donations to fund most of its services, with only one-fifth of its funding coming from the government.

Events such as the Walk to Remember ensure the hospice can continue to care for patients and families when they need it most.

Mel Dixon, events and challenges manager at St Mary's Hospice, was overwhelmed by the turnout this year.

She said: "This year far exceeded expectations.

"We're used to 400 people taking part which is amazing in itself, but when I saw we'd hit 1,000 this year I couldn't quite believe it.

"It's the first year we've had to set a limit on the amount of people taking part.

"I'm humbled every day by the generosity and commitment of our community supporting the hospice.

"I've worked here for 10 years now and I'm still blown away by the lengths our community will go to support us.

"We're extremely excited to announce the amount this event has raised, so keep your eyes peeled for the reveal in the next few weeks.

"Walk to Remember has been going on for seven years and each year is bigger and better than the previous one.

"It's a night filled with laughter, tears, smiles, and love.

"I can't wait to see what we can do next year."

Registrations for Walk to Remember 2025 are now open.

Participants are encouraged to secure their place early to avoid disappointment.