Floods force charity to cancel biggest fundraiser

Sue Ryder's starlight hike has been cancelled in Peterborough and Bedford after hike routes became "unpassable"

Two starlight hikes that were due to take place in aid of the charity Sue Ryder have been cancelled following poor weather and flooding across the East of England.

About 900 people and 240 volunteers were expected to attend the two events taking place on 5 October at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, and in Everards Meadow, Bedford, on 12 October.

There has been severe flooding at Everards Meadow, along the embankment of the River Great Ouse, and around Ferry Meadows, and ongoing heavy rain is forecasted.

Sue Ryder said the cancellation of its “biggest fundraising event is a huge blow” to the charity and added that the events raised £142,000 over the last two years.

Paths in Ferry Meadows in Peterborough have been described as "inaccessible"

The charity, which provides palliative and bereavement care, runs Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough and St John’s Hospice in Bedfordshire.

Cheyenne Smith, the regional head of hospice fundraising for the two hospices, said: “We are absolutely gutted that we have had to take the really tough decision to cancel this year’s events.

“Not only are they the biggest fundraising event in our calendar, but also poignant events for many people, giving them the chance to come together and celebrate their loved ones.”

“We are so sorry for all our supporters and volunteers who we know will be feeling just as disappointed as we are.

“They put so much passion and love into making this event so very special and I want to thank them and our sponsors Cultura Place and Concept Events in for their kind ongoing support.”

Severe flooding at Everards Meadow in Bedford has forced the event to be called off by organisers

Allison Mann, the service director for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, called the cancellation “devastating”. She said the care provided by the nursing, medical and hospice support teams was “reliant on the generosity of supporters and vital fundraising events like [the] starlight hike”.

The Met Office said seven counties, including Bedfordshire, had more than three times their average rainfall for September.

About 20 flood warnings have remained in place in the west of the East of England.

All registered participants were being contacted and offered the option to move their registration to an alternative event or receive a full refund, a spokesperson for the charity said.