Seventeen intrepid hospice supporters are preparing to walk a remote section of the Great Wall of China this October to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice.
The walkers all have their own reasons for taking on the challenge, which will involve covering just under 50km in five days, with a total ascent and descent of over 3,000m.
Michelle Bartlett from Stratford-upon-Avon is walking in memory of her mother Marjorie Bartlett, who lived in Evesham. She said: “In February 2025, we lost my beautiful mum to cancer. During the most difficult days of our lives, St Richard’s Hospice gave our family something priceless: time. Time to simply be with Mum, without the worry, stress and constant rushing that comes when caring for someone you love.
“From the moment she arrived at the hospice, a huge weight was lifted. The kindness, compassion and support we received will stay with us forever.
“This trek is my way of saying thank you.”
Jenny Jones from Redditch will be walking in memory of her husband, Andrew Jones. Jenny said: “My husband Andrew – the most wonderful, kind, big-hearted, generous man – passed away at St Richard’s Hospice at the age of 60, less than a year after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Always up for an adventure, Andrew asked that I undertake this trek on his behalf.
“Without the hospice’s support, Andrew wouldn’t have experienced a wonderful last two weeks of life surrounded by care and love.”
Charm Whitehouse from Worcester is taking on the challenge in memory of her husband Mark Whitehouse. Charm said: “I’m raising money for St Richard’s Hospice who were absolutely fabulous during Mark’s last five weeks. Nothing was too much trouble, and the nurses were absolute angels.
“After a long battle with pancreatic cancer, St Richard’s gave us the opportunity to simply be his family again. I’ll always remember, on arrival, a nurse saying: ‘you can be his wife again now’. It was a breath of fresh air to be given the opportunity to be present with my soulmate in his final weeks, knowing the care aspect was covered.”
Jane Loudoun from Fladbury is the oldest trekker at 74 and wanted to take on a personal challenge, whilst honouring the memory of those in her village who have been supported by St Richard’s. Jane said: “I’m lucky enough to be healthy and well but not everyone has that privilege. I enjoy keeping fit and I’m hoping for a sense of achievement when I’ve finished the trek, both personally and from raising money to benefit others.
“In six months, I lost four friends from the village who all spent time at the hospice in their final hours. I know they were cared for beautifully and respectfully, and they’ll be on my shoulder motivating me every step of the way.”
Dr Fiona Partridge and her husband Dr Ian Gee from Crowle are returning to do their second overseas trek with St Richard’s, after going to Jordan in 2024. Fiona is a GP in Astwood Bank and Ian is a consultant at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Fiona said: “I’ve always been happy to support the hospice because I know from my working life what a lifeline the in-patient care, community services and bereavement support is to patients and their families.
“As a GP, I’m so grateful for hospice services – without them I don’t know where we would be. Patients need time, compassion and expertise on their end-of-life journey, and I believe without organisations like St Richard’s, more patients would end up in acute hospital beds or A&E inappropriately, and struggle unnecessarily.
“On a personal note, I have friends who’ve had tremendous support from St Richard’s. So many of us want the hospice to be there if we need it, and assume it will be, but have no idea it isn’t a full part of the NHS and that fundraising keeps it going.”
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that can’t be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk