A former hospice patient has urged people to get involved with a charity walk at Blackheath Common this weekend in aid of two hospices.

The Twilight Walk will set off on Saturday (September 28) from 5pm in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice and Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.

Catford resident Katie Hill was previously cared for by St Christopher’s and took part in last year’s walk.

The 36 year old said: “What hospice care has done for me in a short space of time has been incredible…now I want to spread the word to help make people aware that these services are available.”

Katie was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016 shortly after getting married and was admitted to St. Christopher’s in September 2018 to receive help in managing her pain.

In a small amount of time both she, and her husband David Abbott, have become passionate supporters of the work carried out by hospices.

Last September Katie and David, along with family and friends, raised thousands of pounds by taking part in the charity walk, and want as many people as possible to attend tomorrow.

The two hospice care groups rely heavily on the support of local communities

St Christopher’s Hospice receives just 27 per cent of its funding from the NHS, with fundraising making up the rest of the £16 million that is necessary to care for those in need.

Meanwhile, just a third of Greenwich & Bexley’s funding is provided by the NHS.

Approximately 10,000 people are supported by the two hospices, with more than 550 volunteers at Greenwich & Bexley and nearly triple this number at St. Christopher’s.

Katie added: “Last year we decided to take part in the Twilight Walk to raise as much money as possible after seeing how desperately important hospice care is to so many people.

“It was such a lovely and emotional evening; to have 23 of my friends and family walking by my side.”

The Twilight Walk route is five miles long and will allow participants to take in some of London’s most iconic sights in an all new light, with the knowledge that they are raising money for two local charities at the same time.

Agusta Adu, from Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, said how much support means to hospices and recommended other ways which people can fund raise.

“By raising money you can help make sure local people are properly looked after at the end of their lives, and that family and friends are supported,” he said.

“And don’t worry about having to ask people to sponsor your walk, you can raise money in other ways, like a cake sale, a dress-down day at work or by holding a barbeque and asking friends to make a donation. It will all truly help.”

The Twilight Walk event sets off from Blackheath Common from 5pm on September 28, adult registration costs £20 in advance and £10 for children aged 12-17.

Visit www.stchristophers.org.uk/twilightwalk to find out more.