Hospice fundraiser smashes previous best by £24,000

The record-breaking total was revealed at a special event at Ashgate Hospice

A hospice's biggest annual fundraising event achieved its highest ever total this year, it has been announced.

Ashgate Hospice, at Old Brampton, Chesterfield, provides end-of-life care for people from across north Derbyshire.

Its annual Sparkle Night Walk raised £341,854, smashing the previous highest total of £317,671 set last year.

More than 3,400 people sported pink and flashing bunny ears at the 10km (6.2 miles) walk in Chesterfield on Saturday 22 June.

Kate Holmes was given care in her own home by nurses from Ashgate Hospice

One of the groups that raised the most money at the event was the family of Kate Holmes, from Bramley Vale.

She died in June 2023, aged 77, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer nine months beforehand.

Ms Holmes had spent her final days at home thanks to the support of Ashgate Hospice’s community nurses.

Her granddaughter Leanne Nightingale was one of 21 family members who helped raise £1,600 for the hospice.

“The night was just beautiful,” said dental nurse Ms Nightingale. “It was almost a memorial on the night - we had our T-shirts with our team’s name "Kate’s Legacy" on the back.

“Nana was head of the family. To do something like the Sparkle Night Walk knowing it was for her, she would've loved it and been very proud."

Thousands wore flashing bunny ears for the fundraising 10km walk in Chesterfield

Walkers started at Chesterfield FC and headed down the A61 bypass, through the town centre, before returning to the stadium.

The event saw a total of 3,404 people register for the event, also beating the previous record of 3,127 that entered in 2023.

Sponsorship saved £88,795 in running costs on the night, meaning more of the funds raised will go towards hospice care.

Jack Wood, director of Income Generation at Ashgate Hospice, said he was “incredibly grateful” for everyone's support.

“We are so overwhelmed that our amazing participants have once again raised such an incredible amount,” said Jack.

It is the equivalent cost of running a bed at the hospice's inpatient unit for more than a year.

More than 1,000 people have already signed up to next year’s event on Saturday 28 June 2025, which will be its 10th anniversary.

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