The Fun on the Farm and Sleep Walk has been hailed a huge success by event organisers Rowcroft Hospice.
The event, which saw over 1,364 ladies, take part in Rowcroft’s Fun on the Farm Sleep Walk on Saturday night.
While a lot of Torbay celebrated England getting through to the semi-finals, these ladies raised an amazing £101,705 for the hospice.
Sky Rocket Popularity
The Fun on the Farm and Sleep Walk event, which takes place annually, and is solely a women’s walk has sky rocketed in popularity.
Initially launched in 2011, it is now a key Torbay event in the Summer Season with more people signing up every year.
£1.2 Million raised in 8 years
Since the event’s inception in 2011, over £1.2 million has been raised for the hospice.
The event on Saturday saw ladies from around South Devon come together to walk 5 or 10 miles to support the local hospice.
Rowcroft’s Event Manager, Stewart Molyneux said:
What an incredible night! The atmosphere was amazing all the way through and the ladies and girls who took part carried bundles of energy and enthusiasm with them every step of the way.”
We have also been so impressed with the level of fundraising this year, thank you for all of your hard work and support! Every pound raised in The Sleep Walk goes towards helping local people in need of Rowcroft’s services. Thank you for helping us make every day the best day possible for thousands of people living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon
The route which went along Torquay and Paignton seafronts, with the last of the Sleep Walkers crossing the finishing line at 02:15 Sunday morning.
First across the line
The first walkers to cross the finish line were a trio of ladies; Dionne Newton and Norma Layton both from Torquay and Ros Willis-Fear from Paignton.
Upon arriving at the Torbay Leisure Centre to collect their medals and a well deserved bacon bap Norma said:
It feels surreal and exhilarating to be the first one back
Dionne went on to add
It’s great fun out there, there’s a real feeling a comradery, even people on the beach were cheering us on.
Ros Willis-Fear, who was walking in memory of her husband, Michael explained:
Sadly Michael fell ill in the middle of 2014, he was eventually diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and he deteriorated frighteningly fast. He went to the Inpatient Unit at Rowcroft for a fortnight and the care he received was brilliant. The support he received for his symptoms enabled him to return home, they were absolutely superb. Rowcroft is a special place to me and I do The Sleep Walk because I want to give back to the hospice that cared for Michael.
Those that took part in the Sleep Walk were blessed with a warm evening and even treated to a gorgeous sunset across the Bay.
Supported by businesses
The event was also supported by many local businesses as well as 165 volunteers who gave their time and worked through the night to support the charity and the walkers.
Patricia Gross, who has been a Rowcroft volunteer since 1987 said:
Congratulations to the Rowcroft team who organise the event, it’s not easy but it has all come together. Volunteering is also a great way to make friends; you can never be lonely if you join the Rowcroft volunteers
Patricia was on hand to give refreshments to the walkers as they returned to Torbay Leisure centre.
A record year
It is thought that The Sleep Walk will raise an impressive £101,707 this year, every penny of which will help support people living with a life limiting illness in South Devon.
The impressive total does not take into account the money raised from the sales of merchandise and other funds raised throughout the night, which is set to to take the amount higher.
