More than 1,650 participants dressed in yellow on Saturday evening for the return of Rowcroft Hospice's Sleep Walk, raising £185,000 to support patients and families facing terminal illness. The eight-mile sponsored walk, held for the first time since 2022, took place on the summer solstice weekend, starting at Torquay's Riviera International Centre with a warm-up from Bingo Bangers before proceeding along the coastal route through Torquay and Paignton seafronts.
Participants Walk in Memory of Loved Ones
Annie Mooney, 69, from Paignton, walked in memory of her husband Martin, who died from colon cancer on March 24 after receiving care from Rowcroft's Community and Hospice at Home Teams. “The Sleep Walk was heaven-sent because I’m a keen walker, and the team – especially our 12-year-old grandson George - wanted to do it in Martin’s memory,” she said. “The support from Rowcroft felt like a tsunami of hope, love and professionalism, when I was at my most desperate. They enabled Martin to stay at home, just as he wanted, where he died in my arms, with Jo, our daughter, holding his hand. It was so full of love and peace and dignity.”
Andrea Loader, 62, from Kingsteignton, a teacher at St Cuthbert Mayne School, walked with family and friends in memory of her mother Sheila Chambers, who died in Rowcroft Hospice in October 2025 at age 85. “I can only describe Rowcroft Hospice and its staff as a little piece of ‘heaven on earth’ run by earth angels,” she said. “The staff were so kind, caring and compassionate, and they spoke to her with such respect, keeping her dignity at the forefront. Nothing was too much trouble.”
Community Spirit and Remembrance
Maddy Aldridge, 21, walked with her mother Lisa Schofield in memory of her grandmother Pam Lake, who died in 2010. The duo raised approximately £450. “The Sleep Walk has been really fantastic - it’s buzzing with life! Everyone is chatting to everyone else, and there’s a really great atmosphere,” Maddy said. Cathy Carey and friends from the Chordettes Acappella Chorus walked as a team of five. “Harmony singing is all about listening to and supporting each other, and the whole is so much greater than the individual parts. The Sleep Walk has that same feeling – an instant sense of camaraderie,” Cathy noted.
At Roundham Head, participants lit LED candles in memory of loved ones and wrote names on memory tags placed on a giant wicker heart, which now stands in Rowcroft's grounds as a lasting tribute. At Goodrington, walkers enjoyed a festival atmosphere with DJ Mike McGowan and a complimentary mocktail from Cantina.
Fundraising Impact and Financial Pressures
Rachel Haime, Events Fundraiser at Rowcroft Hospice, thanked participants, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, including event sponsor Majestic Holidays. “Special thanks go to our event sponsor, Majestic Holidays, and to the many local businesses, suppliers and individuals who went above and beyond to support the event,” she said. “We’d also like to thank Torbay Council for lighting up the Bay in purple in honour of Rowcroft!” The funds raised will support specialist end-of-life care across South Devon.
Rowcroft faces significant financial pressures, with 76 per cent of care funded by community generosity and only 24 per cent from the NHS. Rising costs and increasing demand for services are straining hospice provision. Rowcroft is calling for fairer, more sustainable funding to safeguard the future of hospice care. For more information about Rowcroft Hospice and upcoming events, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk.
