24/09/2023
We received a letter from Ruby Sumpter, who's walking under the stars in Oxenhope next week on the 7th of October to raise money for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.
She shares why you should take part too!
Dear Editor,
My name is Ruby, and I’m 14 – and I have been doing the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Worth Valley since 2019, and I wanted to share with your readers why I think they should sign up, too.
I did my first Starlight Hike when I found out my Grandma had cancer, and a few months later, she died at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. She was such a caring and kind person, and after that, I wanted to keep doing the Starlight Hikes every year to remember her.
The Starlight Hikes are amazing – there’s a tombola and you can buy lights so you can be all lit up on the walk. Even on the walk itself you can grab a drink or a snack halfway. Seeing everyone covered in lights is really magical; it’s such a feel good event and a lot of fun.
It’s great chatting to other people along the way about why they are doing the walk. I like being able to speak about my Grandma and remember her in such a special way. You can also write a dedication for the person you are remembering in the hospice grounds which is covered in fairy lights and it looks beautiful.
I can’t wait to do it again this year with my friends – it’s a six-mile route but it doesn’t even feel long with the amount of people there are and how great the atmosphere is. I also love raising money for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice by doing it – over the years I have raised more than £2,500, I never thought I would raise that much! It makes me so happy that I am able to give something back, especially as my Grandma was such a caring person; I know she would be proud of me.
If you’re thinking about doing the Starlight Hike this year, join me! The feeling you have afterwards is really incredible and it’s such a unique way to remember someone you love: sueryder.org/starlightworthvalley
Thank you,
Ruby from West Yorkshire
