A Night to Remember 2024 – setting the pace!
This year, the Kingston Hospital Charity set out to raise awareness and funds for their Mental Health Department and specifically for families who had suffered an infant bereavement. With such a worthwhile cause to support, of course, we jumped at the chance to enter the challenging 13-mile walk.
The evening began with members from Team GB’s Lola Anderson, who won a gold medal in the women’s rowing quadruple skulls at this year’s Paris Olympics and Holly Dunford, who won a bronze in the women’s eights joining the special night.
Lola, who was born at Kingston Hospital and is originally from Richmond walked in memory of her Dad, who was treated for cancer at the hospital three years ago.
Lola said in her speech: “I’m proud to have the privilege of walking alongside bereaved families – some of the strongest and bravest people, who despite their own grief, want to raise money so that other families get the best possible support if the worst happened to them.
“My Dad spent a lot of time receiving treatment from the wonderful staff at Kingston hospital and so it was an honour to take part and celebrate them and the community within the hospital.”
Both girls were truly an inspiration and took photos with many of the children who were present. With admiration and amazement in their eyes, you could see that they were inspiring young generations to come.
The evening was bright and rain need not appear (as forecast!) and was the perfect temperature. Almost 300 people attended the event with 80 tackling the half-marathon challenge!
Having made new friends along the way, the evening flew by albeit the last 45 minutes was more of a struggling. However, the promise of completing the task and being awarded a medal was the motivation to keep going.
As a firm we raised £600 in total and including gift aid, £720. A fantastic achievement!
We know that every penny raised is going to a fantastic cause and we look forward to next year.
By Claire Louise-Smith, Wealth Management Department