Walk for Life, the sponsored walk raising money for Farleigh Hospice, returns on Sunday, May 12.

The walk involves a choice of two beautiful routes through the Essex Countryside, with the 12km walk beginning at Paper Mill Lock, Great Baddow and the 24km route starting at Heybridge Basin.

The event is popular with walkers of all ages, with many bringing their dogs along too.

The Walk for Life 2023, beginning at the Heybridge Basin. (Photo: Farleigh Hospice)

Everyone taking part will receive a t-shirt at the start and a medal at the finish, with children also given a nature trail card which they can stamp along the route.

Susan Watson has already signed up for the 12km walk with her granddaughter.

The Farleigh Hospice home team cared for her husband, Mike, before he died in February last year.

They had been married for 52 years.

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Susan said: "The lovely nurses were brilliant and made Mike laugh when they were looking after him. Farleigh also organised a hospital-type bed and a wheelchair for him which were delivered to our home.

Susan with her late husband, Mike. (Photo: Farleigh Hospice)

"They made life easier for me too, requesting the necessary pain relief medication from our doctor's surgery so I didn't need to do it myself, which took that pressure off me. I'm getting sponsored by my family to thank them for their kindness.

"Farleigh Hospice provides a wonderful service that people couldn't manage without. It's a charity that needs our support. "

Debbie de Boltz, Farleigh's Fundraising Manager, said, "Farleigh Hospice provides specialist care, free of charge, to local people and their families and carers across mid-Essex who are affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement.

This charity relies on income from events like Walk for Life and so we are encouraging everyone taking part to get themselves sponsored. We are very grateful to over 500 people who took part last year, raising over £43,000." 

It costs over £21,270 every day for Farleigh Hospice to provide its services.

They care for people living with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.

It costs £20 for adults to take part in Walk for Life and £5 for under 16s if you register before midnight on 9 May. On the day prices are £25 for adults and £10 for under 16s. For more information or to sign up now, visit the Farleigh Hospice website here.