Mersey ladies set the pace

12 March 2010

Ladies on Merseyside are being urged to join forces and sign up to this year’s Jospice Midnight Walk sponsored by Medicash. The walk takes place on June 11 and will start and finish at Holy Family high school in Thornton.

In aid of St Joseph’s Hospice, also known as Jospice, the annual walk was first held in 2006 and has since raised almost £200,000 for the charity.

Based in Thornton, the hospice was established in 1974 and has cared for more than 5,000 people and their families.

Pat Murphy, director of fundraising for Jospice, said: “We are hoping this year’s walk will be bigger and better than ever, and are aiming to raise over £60,000 with the help of more than 1,000 walkers.

“There is always a great atmosphere and plenty of encouragement from everyone involved. A bit of good weather also helps. We have a good number of ladies who support us every year but it is always nice to welcome new faces.” Liverpool-based health cash plan provider Medicash has sponsored the fundraising event since it was launched five years ago.

Medicash’s sales and marketing director Peter Lauris said: “Medicash has a long history of charitable giving and has been caring for people on Merseyside for over 138 years. We are delighted to sponsor the Midnight Walk again. The care Jospice provides for patients and the support given to families is invaluable and if the fundraising target is met it will provide Jospice with two specialist nurses for a year. The walk is also a fun occasion and a healthy way to raise money for such a good cause.”

Other sponsors include Holy Family high school, Sefton PCT, Merseytravel, Sainsbury’s, Lions, Merseyside Police and Hearts Health Club. BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips will officially launch the walk on the night. Well-known supporters of Jospice include Cherie Blair, who is vice president of the charity, Liverpudlian actress Pauline Daniels and actor and broadcaster Dean Sullivan.

In addition to sponsoring the event Medicash will also donate a percentage of the annual premium from any cash plans which are signed up to before June 30. For information, visit www.medicash.org.

Medicash is a monthly payment plan to cover medical bills.