Let’s Talk About Fundraising – and Why You Should Do It for Your Local Hospice

This year, the Twilight Walk is Back. With a Twist.

Here at ellenor, we’re ever-present for our community. We support patients with life-limiting conditions and their families as they live with the upheaval and uncertainty of progressive, profound illness. And help those who have lost loved ones with us to keep going and navigate one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Since we first opened our doors in 1985, we’ve been here – a staple of the Dartford and Gravesend communities, with a presence throughout Kent and Bexley.

Everyone knows that we exist for our community. Less well-known, however, is that we also only exist because of our community. That, without their support – raising awareness of our cause and the crucial funds we require to provide our service – we simply wouldn’t be here.

It’s easy to think about charities as being funded by the government, or by a small group of wealthy benefactors. But actually, a huge portion of the money that keeps us going comes from our supporters in the community.

So what does this fundraising look like – and how can you get involved?

The first thing you need to know about fundraising is that it can take pretty much any form you want it to. You could run the London Marathon; host a quiz or cake sale; skydive; place a loose collection pot on the countertop of your small business.

The second? That no amount is ‘too little.’ Fundraising’s strength is in its numbers. Small amounts in and of themselves that, when combined, can make a big difference – and help us to keep doing the same.

Here’s where the Twilight Walk comes in. 

If you haven’t heard of it before, you’ll most likely have seen it – throngs of orange-clad people snaking through the streets of Gravesend. Some will be in glowing head boppers, others decked out in vibrant glowing accessories. But at least half of these walkers all have one thing in common – they’re there to remember a lost loved one.

Every year, the Twilight Walk unites people from all walks of life to celebrate the lives of those who, sadly, are no longer with us.

It’s a night to remember, in all senses of the word – to treasure precious memories of people who have passed away, but to have fun, too. To enjoy the evening’s camaraderie and closeness; savour its spirit of solidarity and silliness.

As our flagship event, it’s an essential date in our fundraising calendar. As well as raising crucial funds (last year’s Twilight Walk generated an incredible £86,000), it always seems to be the event our supporters look forward to most.

So this year, we’re doubling down on it.

That’s right – in September 2022, and for the first time ever, we’re hosting two Twilight Walks.

As always, one will take place in Gravesend: starting and finishing at the Gravesend Cyclopark on the 23rd. The new Twilight Walk will happen in Dartford on the 16th: kicking off and concluding at the Dartford Rugby Club.

We’ve always treasured our close ties to these communities: Dartford, where our offices were first located, and Gravesend, where we’re based now. 

We love seeing the streets filled with people walking for someone close to them; for something they believe in; for their local community. But we’re aware that we have a large catchment area – our adult and child hospice care spans the whole of North Kent and Bexley, after all, and we deliver clinical nursing support to the children of Dartford, Gravesham, and Swanley. 

Because of this – thinking of our wide spread of supporters in the community, plus our loyal supporter base in the Dartford area – we wanted to make it even easier for everyone to participate in the Twilight Walk. Now, even more people can take part in honouring the cherished memory of a lost loved one, or simply having fun – in the place that suits them most. 

And this year? We want you. 

Maybe there’s a specific face, smile, or laugh you’ll be walking to remember. Or maybe, like so many others, you’ll be strolling simply to support your local hospice. To give back to a place that gives others strength, hope, and a guiding light in a time of darkness and difficulty. 

Because, like so many things in life, fundraising isn’t about those grand, sweeping gestures. It’s the little things. Those small acts of kindness that compound and multiply. It’s many people coming together: to give us one evening of their life, and put one foot in front of the other to support the fabric of the local community.

So join us. Come dress up, have some fun (and some belly laughs!), and meet some new people. Walk with us this September – not only on the streets of Gravesend and Dartford, but in our mission to provide quality care, respect our patients’ dignity and independence, and support them and their families to live with life-limiting illness.

We’re ready. Are you?

The Twilight Walk at Dartford takes place on 16 September 2022, at the Dartford Rugby Club. The Event Village and registration begins at 6pm; the walk starts at 7pm.

The Twilight Walk at Gravesend takes place on 23 September 2022, at the Gravesend Cyclopark. The Event Village and registration begins at 6pm; the walk starts at 7pm.

An Adult Early Bird ticket costs £20. Entry for under-16s is free. Recommended sponsorship is £50, but there’s no minimum amount. Every penny you raise will be gratefully received and go towards supporting patients and their families facing life-limiting illnesses.