Help us make this years Light Up the City the best yet

Furley Page Foundation urges community to get behind Pilgrims Hospices fundraiser

The Furley Page Foundation, a charitable organisation set up by Canterbury law firm Furley Page, is encouraging walkers and runners of all ages to turn out in force this autumn for the sixth Light Up the City event, in support of Pilgrims Hospices.

Last year the Foundation, which is the main sponsor of the event for the second successive year, helped galvanize more than 800 people to take to the streets, raising £20,500.

This year, members of Furley Page will once again be among the enthusiastic supporters who will be grabbing glow-in-the-dark accessories and donning luminous outfits to walk or run around Canterbury.

The event, which takes place on Saturday October 22, is set to be the best and brightest yet, with a novel new night-time 3km lantern walk or 5km run around the city walls. For the first time walkers will be given a paper lantern which they can decorate in advance and carry in memory of a loved one.

Furley Page Foundation Trustee Aaron Spencer, a Partner at the Canterbury-based law firm who took part in last year’s 5km run, says: “This is the fifth year that Furley Page Solicitors has supported Light Up the City and the Furley Page Foundation is proud to be sponsoring this fantastic event again.

Aaron Spencer

“It’s a fun way of bringing people together and for individuals, families and businesses to show their support for a charity which relies on the generosity of the community for 75% of its funding. The addition of lanterns will also be a wonderful way for participants to remember someone special.

“Pilgrims Hospices does incredible work but they need the community’s help so we’re encouraging everyone to join us, get behind the event and beat last year’s fundraising total.”

Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager Deborah Kellond adds:

“Furley Page has always been incredibly supportive and it means a great deal to us to have them on board again. The Furley Page Foundation’s sponsorship really helps to cover the cost of organising the event which means that even more of the registration fees and money raised by walkers and runners goes towards caring for our patients and their families.

“This year’s event will be particularly poignant as walkers will be able to pay tribute to a lost loved one by decorating a lantern either with their name, photo, poem, or just a design. The lanterns will be lit by an LED light on the night and walkers will be invited to place them on the Greencourt within the cathedral grounds. This will be visually wonderful and it’s also a very significant gesture in memory of someone special, whether they were at Pilgrims or not.”

Participants are also welcome to bring head torches, light sabres and fairy lights, and flashing merchandise will be available to buy on the night.

 Light Up the City begins and ends in Canterbury’s Dane John Gardens, Watling Street, and takes walkers and runners past some of Canterbury’s most iconic historic landmarks.

The 3km stroll starts at 6.30pm (registration 5.45pm) and costs £7.50 in advance, including a lantern, or £10 on the night (under-fives and dogs go free), with optional lanterns at £2.50 each. A £25 advance family ticket (two adults and two children) includes two lanterns. The 5km run begins at 7.45pm (registration 6.45pm) and costs £10 in advance or £15 on the night.

To register for the walk or run, visit www.pilgrimshospices.org and download the information sheet or email [email protected].

For more information about the Furley Page Foundation email [email protected] or visit www.furleypage.co.uk/foundation.