Charity effort scores a real ten out of ten

Walk Ten will see hundreds of people descend on Tatton Park, Cheshire, on the evening of Saturday, August 14, to complete a 10k sponsored walk at sunset.

Afterwards, at 10pm, there will be an event to mark the nurses starting their shifts to care for terminally ill people in their own homes.

Anyone from Bolton who takes part will be contributing to the Marie Curie Nurses Appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 in the town by the end of September and is being backed by The Bolton News.

All the money will be spent locally on providing free nursing care, allowing people to die at home.

Sue Irwin, a local Marie Curie nurse and the face of the appeal, has launched the call for people from the town to get involved in Walk Ten.

She said: “Last year, 21 Marie Curie Nurses in Bolton cared for 130 patients with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes totally free.

“We can’t do this without the generous support of those who raise funds for us.

“By taking part in Walk Ten in Tatton Park you can help provide Marie Curie nurses like me, £20 will provide one hour of care.”

People are being urged to sign up for the sponsored walk and help boost the campaign total.

At 10pm walkers will gather to mark the start of the next Marie Curie nursing shift with a picnic.

Joanna Jones, aged 45, Horwich, is among those who have registered for the event. She said: “It’s something different and sounds like a really nice event so I thought why not?

“The nurses are so important and this is an easy way to raise money and awareness, which will help local people.”

Entry costs £10, children go free, with walkers asked to commit to raise as much as possible, with £100 paying for five hours of care and £180 covering a full night shift.

To sign up for Walk Ten visit mariecurie.org.uk/walkten or contact 08700 340 040.

There are also 11 other Marie Curie Cancer Care Walk Ten events across the UK to choose from.