Howard Steps Out For St Wilfrid’s Hospice

Howard Widdison is stepping out along the West Highland Way as part of a marathon effort in memory of his grandfather and to help raise £10,000 for St Wilfrids Hospice in Eastbourne.

On April 14th he will set off on the 95-mile trek from Glasgow to Fort William, a journey that will take him through a wide variety of rugged terrains, ranging from lowland moors and dense woodland to high mountainous regions. One night will be spent in a remote hilltop bothy, or shelter, with no lighting, an open fire for cooking and a wooden platform to sleep on.

The walk is a world away from Howard’s job at Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel, where he is the cellar master and store man responsible for looking after the hotel’s huge wine cellars that store hundreds of bottles of champagne, wine, port, brandy and other drinks.

Howard, 35, said: “St Wilfrid’s Hospice recently supported my grandfather William Raymond Morgan through terminal cancer until he passed away at the age of 87. The level of care they provided as a charity to my grandfather, and my family, was superb and I would like to raise £10,000 to say thank you and to ensure they can provide that care for a good while yet to all those that need it.”

Joining Howard on the walk is Kathy Castell, who is a good friend of Howard and his wife Pauline. Pauline grew up with Kathy's eldest daughter Anna. 

“Over the years Kathy has fostered many children as well as bringing up four children of her own, and treats myself and Pauline as part of the family,” said Howard. “Despite her not knowing my grandfather she has kindly offered to accompany me on the hike and help boost the total amount of money raised.”

It’s a busy time for Howard and his family because as well as preparing for the walk and organising other fundraising events for St Wilfrids, including parties and boot sales,  Howard and Pauline are expecting their first child shortly after he completes the charity trek.

St Wilfrids Hospice Eastbourne is a local charity providing skilled and compassionate care.  Their palliative care service encompasses many aspects of the care of patients, such as alleviating pain and anxiety of the terminally ill during the latter stages of illness, and support for carers and families.

Frances Lewis, Fundraising Director at the hospice, said: “This is a very special time for St Wilfrids as the hospice celebrates 25 years of dedicated service to patients and their families right across the localities of Eastbourne, Uckfield, Heathfield, Hailsham, Polegate, Pevensey and Seaford. With hospice care given entirely free, it is limited only by resources, on which the demands are huge as we only receive 15% of funding from the NHS. We are totally reliant for the remainder on voluntary contributions that come from our generous benefactors and other charitable support. It costs £504 a day to care for each in-patient and £200 a day for patients cared for under our hospice at home scheme. Our total current care costs, each and every day, are £8,767.”

For more information on the fundraising  walk and details on how to donate telephone Howard on 01323 482439 or log onto www.partypossie.plus.com/Home.htm.