St Luke’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the ladies Midnight Walk went down a storm on Friday 29 June. Over 1440 ladies registered to take part and over 200 people volunteered on the night. The ladies enjoyed entertainment from Patelelvis who did karaoke, comedy and interactive mayhem to provide a tongue and cheek Bollywood tribute to the King. International Electro soul pop artist, Krupa Pattni shared her personal experience of when her sister was cared for by St Luke’s and held a minutes silence to remember the loved ones of all of our walkers. Fitness instructor, Gary Zucker provided a fun warm up to get the ladies ready for their 9-mile walk challenge. Asad Shan who is a British model, Actor, filmmaker and currently the presenter for the TV show, Zing which features on Asian network channel, Zee TV livened the crowd up at the start line and did the countdown to set the ladies off at the stroke of Midnight.
An outstanding £188,940 in sponsorship was pledged by our walkers on the night and we expect further sponsorship money to come in. A huge thank you goes to everyone who participated on the night, our event sponsor, The Best Western Cumberland Hotel and media sponsor, Zee TV and the volunteers who helped to marshal, register walkers, work on stalls, provide breakfast and general support throughout the event.
Asad Shan says, ‘When I was contacted by Zee TV they said there was this event for St Luke’s and I said first of all it was for charity and I would love to help out wherever I can. I then did some research into the Hospice. It was incredible to see an elderly crowd and a really young crowd getting together in the purest form and for similar goals at the Midnight Walk. In life our mission is different for each person but this is one cause that brings you together and if you have that same goal to making it better you can raise more money for it and I think that is really important. It really was over whelming walking in the room and seeing all those purple t-shirts and thinking wow, when seeing all those people together. I would love to support St Luke’s in the future.’
Premila Vekariya (pictured above) lives in Pinner and was the first lady to complete the walk and she did it in under 2 hours. Premila had a friend who died of cancer and says, ‘This is one of the best events for atmosphere, buzz and a general feel good factor! All of the volunteers and marshals do a fantastic job each year which makes this event a huge success. Thank you to St Luke’s and well done to all those that participated.’
A group of sisters from the Stiles family took part: Joedy, Sindy, Candy and Kelly Stiles. They said, ‘We have been doing the Midnight Walk since it started and we do it to dress up and have some true bonding timing with sisters! Our dad received fantastic care from St Luke’s and we will continue to support the Hospice.’
A group of friends, Divya Asawala, Priya Mehta and Bhagwati Jetha took part. Priya says, ‘St Luke’s has been amazing. They looked after Divya’s nan for 9 days and we now want to give as much support as we can.’
St Luke’s Director of Fundraising, Pam Russell says, ‘It was a fantastically moving experience to see so many people from all sections of the community coming together to support patients at St Luke’s. The evening had a unique atmosphere which combined friendship, care, excitement, and an amazing sense of achievement among the walkers, volunteers, staff, entertainers, community police, and all those who came together to make the event such a success. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all at St Luke’s to everyone who helped to make the walk possible.’
Please also see Harrow Observer's Midnight Walk press coverage.
