Night-time charity walk raises over £40,000 for hospice

A night-time charity walk which saw hundreds of people take to the streets of Derby has raised more than £40,000 for Treetops Hospice.

Over 400 people took part in this year’s Treetops Moonlight Walk, raising vital cash for local patients and families.

Now in its 12th year, the walk has become one of the hospice’s most popular and meaningful fundraising events.

Each year, hundreds of people come together to walk in memory of loved ones, creating a moving and memorable evening while raising vital funds for the Risley-based hospice.

This year, the walk began and ended at Derby City Council’s newly refurbished Derby Market Hall, with participants following a five or 10km route past some of Derby’s most iconic landmarks.

A particularly poignant moment came at Derby Cathedral, where many paused to light candles in memory of loved ones.

The evening also offered entertainment, live music and a warm, uplifting atmosphere along the fully-marshalled route – uniting friends, families and the local community in celebration and remembrance.

Victoria Rocca, relationships manager for key events at Treetops, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the incredible turnout at this year’s Moonlight Walk.

“It costs over £5.7 million each year to run the hospice and provide our vital care, but with less than 18% of this coming from the Integrated Care Board, we must raise the remaining £4.7 million ourselves.

“Events like the Moonlight Walk are absolutely essential – and we couldn’t do it without the generosity and support of our amazing community.”

The success of the walk helps Treetops Hospice continue to provide nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, as well as counselling for those who are bereaved.

Each year, Treetops supports over 2,000 people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

To sign up to next year’s Treetops Moonlight Walk, visit https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/event/moonlight-walk/.