An event’s coming up that will brighten up the darker nights, help you remember someone special, and be a great experience with friends raising money for a Peterborough charity.
The Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Peterborough will return to Ferry Meadows Country Park on the evening of Saturday October 7.
Two people who’ve already signed up are the daughter and best friend of Antoinette Rendle, a much-loved figure in the local community, who will take part in the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Peterborough next month in her memory.
Photo: Antoinette 'Aunty' and friend Maureen Strachan
44-year-old Clare Rendle and 74-year-old Maureen Strachan both from Orton will lace up their trainers for a 10k walk under the stars to pay tribute to ‘Aunty’ as she was fondly known by all.
“Mum was the type of person that when you went out with her people would always say hello. It could be a friend, neighbours, an ex-pupil from Winyates Primary School where mum volunteered, a customer from Tesco Hampton where she worked for more than 30 years, or someone who recognised her from jogging,” recalls Clare.
Her close friend Maureen added -"Antoinette was a wonderful and beautiful caring, compassionate, funny and generous person - who everyone fell in love with. In a nutshell, she was simply the best and had a special kind of magic. She cast her spell on so many people."
Malta-born, Antoinette, who was a founding member of the Bushfield Joggers and well-known for pounding the Peterborough pavements, spent her final days being cared for at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.
“My mum was only at the Sue Ryder Peterborough hospice for a week, but that week she was there it was just amazing. It was such a peaceful and quiet place. The staff were so lovely. I can’t praise them enough for how wonderful they were,” said Clare.
Photo: Clare Rendell and mum Antoinette
“The doctors and nurses spoke to us, they explained everything that was going on. The room was lovely and so too were the gardens she looked out on, where she saw her grandchildren play. These memories are so very precious to us.
"A neighbour once said to me it’s the saddest happiest place and as soon as I walked in, I thought, I totally agree.
“That’s why I signed up to Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Peterborough. I’m not an active person, that was mum, but those days of care mum received from the hospice have led me to want to go the miles and help Sue Ryder,” Clare added.
Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Peterborough will return to Ferry Meadows Country Park on the evening of Saturday October 7. Registration begins at 5.30pm with pre-walk warm-up from Clubbercise to help people limber up and build the party atmosphere. At 7pm walkers sporting fancy dress, flashing headwear and neon face paint will set out on a 5k or 10k route around the tranquil setting of the country park with live music along the way.
There will also be an opportunity for participants to place a poignant dedication during the event in honour of someone special to them. Crossing the finishing line, walkers will be rewarded with a well-deserved medal and the knowledge that they’ve done something amazing to remember those close.
Tickets are £15 for adults and £6 for children aged 6-17. Children five and under go free.
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and you can contact the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice fundraising team with any queries by emailing thorpe.fundraising@sueryder.org or calling 01733 225999.
For more information please visit www.sueryder.org