26 May 2022

Businesses across the local area are busy dusting off their shoulder pads and legwarmers to take part in Katharine House’s 80s extravaganza - the Moonlight Walk.

Staff from the HSBC Bicester branch are the latest to pledge their support to the hospice’s popular event, which takes place on 16 July at Easington Sports Football Club. 

Lead by Kayleigh Hardiman, Universal Banker for HSBC, the team are busy getting into shape by taking part in couch to 5ks, using the stairs instead of the lift and parking further away from the office to get some extra steps in!

Kayleigh said the walk is very close to her heart, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020. Now given a clean bill of health, Kayleigh said, “You don’t realise how much support is out there until you need it. The hospice provides vital services for our local community and we want to be able to support our local hospice by taking part in the Moonlight Walk and raise as much money as we can. Anyone in our team, our friends, family, could need the hospice and the services they supply, it’s reassuring that the support is there if needed.”

Rob Hudson, Network Manager at HSBC, explains that May is ‘Well Being Month’ at HSBC, with a focus on the financial, physical and mental health of their employees. He added: “This is a great incentive to encourage employees to sign up, as walking is great for both mental and physical health and promotes teamwork and a sense of pride amongst the staff.”

Other businesses supporting the Moonlight Walk so far include GMB Union, Maxwells Estate Agents and Penhurst Care Home, who have entered teams; Higham Critchley Barrows and CBP UK Ltd, who are sponsoring a mile; Spratt Endicott, which is sponsoring a photo booth run by Carol Ann Photos, and TWE Haulage, which is providing a free trailer for the entertainment stage.

Money raised at the flagship walk will go towards running the hospice’s vital services, which provide care and support to people living with incurable illnesses, as well as their families and friends.

Event organiser Helen Lerwill said: “This year’s event is shaping up to be spectacular. We’ve got entertainment from local band The Dodgers, an 80s' party picnic, fabulous homemade pizzas from JoJo’s, ice creams, hot drinks and free bacon butties for every walker!”

“We can’t thank our local businesses, organisations and individuals enough for signing up and we’re looking forward to getting into the grove with them.”