By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 14:47, Monday, 15 October 2012

Nearly 130 people aged from five upwards took part in a ‘sunflower stroll’ to raise funds for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

Helen Hinvest shows off her sunflower

They paid £10 to walk the three-mile circular route from Lanercost Priory yesterday.

Julie Blundell, fundraiser for the charity, said: “This is a new venture for us to mark Hospice Care Week, which runs from October 8 to 14.

“The sunflower signifies hospice care. What better way to celebrate Hospice Care Week than a sunflower stroll?”

Hospice at Home provides care for 300 people in north Cumbria each year. It aims to help them spend their last days at home, rather than in a hospital or hospice.

The service costs £800,000 a year to run, of which £610,000 is raised by supporters.

Many were raising funds in memory of a loved one.

Richard Murray, chairman of the charity, read out the names of those remembered before the walk began.

Helen Farish, of Dacre Road, Brampton, said: “My mum, Doris May Baxter, passed away two years ago in June. It takes away the stress of going into hospital for the last days.”

Alison Mark, of Greencroft, Brampton, also turned to Hospice at Home when her father Ian Birrell was dying in 2007.

She said: “They stayed with us for the last weeks of his life.

“They came at night to give us a break, which meant that we could care for him during the day.

• Hospice at Home hopes to start bereavement support groups from spring next year.

Anyone recently bereaved can attend open afternoons at The Evergreen Hall, Blue Bell Lane, Penrith, from 2pm-4pm tomorrow or at the Assembly Rooms, the Old Town Hall, Carlisle, on Friday.

For more information call 01768 210719.

First published at 14:46, Monday, 15 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk