Find out the latest news & updates about Girls Night Out, the biggest pyjama party in Suffolk. Sponsored walk supporting St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds.
With less than a month to go, we're excited to reveal this year's Girls Night Out medal!
Step across the finishing line, receive your well-earned medal and feel a sense of pride knowing that you have made a difference for St Nicholas Hospice Care.
On the night of Girls Night Out, St Edmundsbury Cathedral will be open from 6-8pm.
It will be a place to sit and reflect, to chat and to remember loved ones, with the opportunity to light candles. The Hospice's Chaplaincy team will be present, as well as welcomers and walkers from the St Edmundsbury Cathedral team.
A display of pink paper flowers will be made during the evening that will remain in the Cathedral for a few days following the event. Walkers are welcome to come and make their own flower and add their own message.
Thank you to the Cathedral who are also entering a team to walk with us.
Leanne Coleman will take part in her first Girls Night Out walk in memory of her Grandad David Berry.
Like Leanne, many will walk on 10 September in memory of loved ones and support hospice services by fundraising. She kindly allowed us to share how we helped her and her Grandad.
After battling throat cancer, David was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, which led him to require palliative care from the Hospice before his death in August 2021.
Leanne said: “Having spent almost six weeks of his life at the Hospice, myself and my family couldn’t have felt more reassured that Grandad was in the best hands to receive the care he required.
“The staff at St Nicholas Hospice offered unconditional support to my family and I throughout those weeks and beyond, which is something we cannot thank them enough for.
“I personally took the opportunity to have eight weeks of bereavement counselling offered by the Hospice, which was such an important decision I made, and it is something that I will always be grateful for.”
Have you picked out your pyjamas yet? It’s not long until you'll be donning your pyjamas and trainers and placing a pair of flashing bunny ears onto your head to make a difference for St Nicholas Hospice Care.
Could you help us make this year's Girls Night Out one to remember? We are accepting registrations right through to September, so please encourage friends and family to get involved.
We're looking forward to seeing everyone at the event and are excited to be lighting up Bury St Edmunds once more.
If you’ve signed up, keep an eye on your inbox over the coming weeks as we’ll be sending you important event information and fundraising ideas.
Thank you to these teams who are the latest to have signed up to don their flashing bunny ears and pyjamas and walk with us on 10 September.
A quick reminder that our early bird offer runs until the end of May. Why not encourage friends, family or colleagues to sign up to walk together on the night?
Register online at www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk
We're excited to have reached 100 sign-ups for this year's Girls Night Out. Thank you to everyone who has registered so far.
If you're thinking of signing up, don't miss out on our early bird offer, saving £5 on the registration fee before 31 May (£20 from 1 June).
Register online at www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk
Registration is now open for our annual sponsored pyjama walk around Bury St Edmunds.
This year's Girls Night Out, supported by main sponsor Suffolk-focused developer Jaynic, will be held on Saturday 10 September and we’d love you to join us.
Those keen to sign up and get on with their fundraising can sign up with the early bird offer - save £5 on the registration fee until 31 May.
Find out more at www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk
Hundreds of fundraisers donning flashing bunny ears have put in the miles to raise an amazing six-figure amount for a local charity.
St Nicholas Hospice Care is pleased to announce that its 2021 Jaynic’s Girls Night Out walk has raised a wonderful £124,368 for the charity which supports those across West Suffolk facing dying, caring and grief.
The fundraiser, which took place on Saturday, 11 September, saw more than 800 walkers from across the area step out for the cause and complete either six or 11.2-miles around Bury St Edmunds.
Nicola Barber, from the event’s main sponsor Jaynic, was among those walking on the night; she said: “We had a fabulous time and are delighted that so much money has been raised for the hospice.”
The event, which will take place in 2022 on Saturday, 10 September, was also supported by more than 200 volunteers who gave their time to make sure the walk ran without a hitch.
Charlie De-Moore, the hospice’s events manager, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part and supported 2021’s Jaynic’s Girls Night Out event. To have raised £124,368 really is terrific.
“Special thanks must also go to our fantastic main sponsors Jaynic and all those local businesses who supported us, including event sponsors Chassis Cab, Ashtons Legal, Sanofi, Haverbury, Greene King, and Countryside.
With the Coronavirus pandemic meaning the charity had to take Girls Night Out virtual in 2020, and then ongoing restrictions creating uncertainty around the 2021 occasion, the funds raised are more important than ever.
Sharon Basson, the hospice’s clinical services director, was among those pyjama-clad walkers taking part on the night.
Sharon said: “Having walked as part of Jaynic’s Girls Night Out 2021, I was able to experience the event first-hand, and what a special night it is.
“Alongside colleagues, I was able to walk with all of those raising vital funds for the hospice. Many of them walking to celebrate the memories of loved ones that we have cared for. To see how much support the hospice has across our community was humbling and reminds hospice colleagues of our privileged position; to be involved with people and their families at this most difficult of times.
“As part of my role at the hospice, I am able to see first-hand the difference the funds raised from this event make. From the specialist care we can provide on our ward to the much-needed support and advice we can give those across West Suffolk and Thetford facing dying, caring and grief. The generosity we receive makes this possible.
“Thank you to everyone who walked and supported Girls Night Out 2021. You have made such a difference.”
Please keep an eye on the hospice’s Girls Night Out website and social media channel for further information on when registrations for Girls Night Out 2022 on Saturday, 10 September, open.
Joined by a team of family and friends Jessica Faiers will be pulling on her flashing bunny ears to take on her first Girls Night Out challenge on Saturday, 12 September.
The team will be undertaking their challenge in memory of Jessica’s mum Jenny and will be walking from one of Jenny’s favourite places Needham Lake to her home in Haughley.
Jessica said: “My very special mum had a love for life, having fun and helping other people so she would be so delighted to know that we are dressing up and walking for the Hospice.
“Last year mum’s dementia condition rapidly deteriorated. In order for mum to remain at home, we were put in touch with the Hospice and they were amazing. We will always be extremely grateful for the outstanding support the hospice provided for my lovely mum and our family during the last few months of her life.
“Mum peacefully passed away on September 27, 2019, at home surrounded by her family and friends. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from the nurses and the team at the Hospice with regular visits.
“They continued to support us after mum’s death and were always so kind during our darkest days.
“It is so important that we help raise vital funds so that the Hospice can continue to help others in our community.”
Thank you Jessica for sharing your reasons for supporting 2020’s Jaynic’s Girls Night Out and we hope you all enjoy your walking challenge.
#walkwithus #gno
Six-year-old Amber is looking forward to taking part in her first ever Girls Night Out.
Having previously supported the Hospice by taking part in the charity’s Pumpkin Parade, Amber hasn’t been able to take part in Girls Night Out due to age restrictions.
However because the walk is being done slightly differently this year she can join her family and wear her bunny ears with pride.
Amber says she can’t wait to get her pink bunny ears and support all the poorly people at the Hospice, and she’s also looking forward to reaching the finish line so she can eat the homemade pink cupcakes that she's going to make.
Amber will be walking a three mile loop around her Grandma's village in Otley, with her Mummy, Daddy and Grandma, she even hopes to persuade her Granddad to wear the iconic pink bunny ears too.
#walkwithus #gno
We're determined to bring as many people together for our sponsored pyjama walk on Saturday, 12 September, Jaynic's Girls Night Out. Here's a message of support from Barbara Gale, the Hospice's CEO. To find out more and sign up, please visit www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk #walkwithus #gno
We’re delighted that Nicola Barber from Jaynic, Girls Night Out's main sponsor, is putting together a team to walk with us
Jaynic’s office manager Nicola said: “I have never actually done Girls Night Out before. I have a hip condition, which unfortunately means pounding the pavements for six or 11-plus miles really would not be a good idea.
“But this year because we can set our own distance and walk closer to home, I feel much more able to take part. I’ll be walking with a couple of friends and my little girl is also keen to do it with a friend too.
“I am looking forward to it. It will be a chance to see friends, which hasn’t been able to happen a lot during the lockdown, take on a challenge together and have fun while doing it.
“It is also all for a fantastic cause and I’m pleased to be able to help support such a worthwhile charity.”
Nicola and team Jaynic’s five-mile circular route across rolling countryside around Whepstead should take around two and a half hours. The group should be easily recognisable as they will be wearing team T-shirts, so if you are out walking and see them, please give them a wave.
#walkwithus #gno
This year avid supporter Catherine Moriarty has decided her Girls Night Out challenge will be a little different.
Having walked the traditional 11.2-mile route around town before, Catherine has accepted the challenge of completing the route in reverse in under two hours.
The first time Catherine took part in the event she completed the course in two hours and seven minutes.
Having supported the event last year as a back walker, Catherine was challenged by a fellow volunteer RAF Honington’s Mark Jacklin to try to complete the walk, this time in under two hours.
Catherine said: “My Nan was looked after by the Hospice in her own home several years ago.
“The care she received was excellent and as a family we were very grateful for this.
“I believe that we will all need the Hospice at some point in our lives, either for ourselves or for a loved one. All the staff do such an amazing job and always with smiles and true care for their patients.”
Catherine, who owns Moriarty's in Whiting Street, has also decided to raise extra funds for the charity by selling a special cocktail in the restaurant’s basement cocktail bar.
The Girls Night Out inspired pink cocktail will be on sale throughout September with half of the profits from its sale going to the Hospice.
Owing to problems with her hips that rule out race walking, Catherine and Mark will be running their route on Saturday, 19 September, a week after this year’s virtual Girls Night Out event.
If you see Catherine and Mark running around town, please give them a cheer.
#walkwithus #gno
Among the first to sign up for the event, Shelagh Smith will be donning her bunny ears for the second time this year and hopes her story will inspire others to pull on their walking shoes and support the Hospice.
Shelagh said: “I walked Girls Night Out for the first time last year, the furthest I have ever walked in one go.
“I have used St Nic’s professionally in my job role, I lost two friends from cancer last year and my Mum 21 years ago when she was 55.
“I was diagnosed with uterine cancer just before Christmas last year. I had a hysterectomy in February and recovered really well now walking about 8km, I am a lucky one and need no more treatment.
“The GNO walk is my goal.”
Here's Jo from the Zumba Chickz sharing a message of support for everyone thinking of taking part in this year's Girls Night Out.
“I’ve been a part of the GNO event for the past six years and couldn’t imagine not being involved in it again this year. When else can you get away with going for a walk with friends and family in your pyjamas and flashing pink bunny ears?
“The event is such a huge fundraiser for the Hospice which offer an invaluable service and support. Both of which you never know when you or a loved one will need so I look forward to warming you up, albeit virtually and hope to see some of you on my walk. Whoop whoop.”
#walkwithus
Having been a friendly face on Angel Hill for the last six years, this year Hospice Community Fundraiser Miranda McCoy will be pulling on her flashing bunny ears and best pyjamas and completing her Girls Night Out walk.
It will be the first time Miranda, who has already signed up two team members, can take part as she can usually be found on Angel Hill helping to make sure walkers set off without a hitch and then in a support vehicle driving around the route.
Miranda said: “For me, it just seems like the perfect opportunity to take part. It just seems the right thing to do in the circumstances. I’ve watched the amazing spectacle as 2,000 walkers set off from Angel Hill, I’ve driven around in support vehicles, handed out more bananas, crisps, chocolates and water than you could count and welcomed people back and presented them with their well-deserved medal. Now it is my turn.
“The route we’ve picked is around three churches and is around six miles, eight miles if we get lost, which is highly likely with my sense of direction!
“I also have two friends who have also signed up to do a Girls Night Out walk in rural Norfolk and we will be trying to arrange a virtual raising of a glass to celebrate.”
The trio’s walk is a circular route setting off from Gazeley passing Dalham Church, Moulton Church and Gazeley Church. If it’s a clear day they may even catch a glimpse of Ely Cathedral.
If you see them ambling in the countryside, please give them a cheer.
Alongside her husband Todd, children Bethany and Alex Unsworth and Father Albert Vogeler, Denise has helped to raise almost £20,000 for the Hospice in memory of her Mum Mary Vogeler. Mary was cared for by the charity before her death in 2015.
As a family they have each undertaken a variety of fundraising events and were due to hold their annual black-tie ball in aid of the charity in May. Determined to keep raising funds the family have not only already rebooked this year’s occasion for November, they have also booked their 2021 ball for next May too.
Denise and her daughter Bethany, alongside a team of friends, known as the Blister Sisters, have been big supporters of the Girls Night Out walk, and are determined to support 2020’s occasion, which is this year supported by main sponsor Suffolk focused property developer Jaynic, by taking part in their local area.
Denise said: “As a family we can’t thank the Hospice enough for the exceptional care and support the whole family received.
“We are truly thankful and we will continue to raise money with our own fundraising as well as attending Hospice organised events to give other families the chance to have treasured times that we were lucky enough to have.”
Alongside her fellow Blister Sisters, Denise will be pulling on her bunny ears on Saturday, 12 September and completing a 10km challenge close to her home in Croxton, near Thetford.
#WalkWithUs
Heidi Winch will be taking on a Girls Night Out challenge for the 10th time as she gets ready to pull on her pyjamas and bunny ears.
Heidi is hoping to be able to complete this year’s Girls Night Out alongside her usual team, made up of her mum, two daughters and two of her friends.
Heidi said: “When this first happened I think we all knew that Girls Night Out would not be able to go ahead in the usual way, we had already started to think about what we could do instead.
“We plan to walk from Bures to Assington and then back again, we're hoping that the pub in Assington will be open so we can get a cuppa and some cake to give us a boost.
“Girls Night Out is so important to us as a family. We do it in memory of my brother Mark who was cared for by the hospice.
“He died 11 years ago this October, the care and compassion he received were amazing and as a family, we will always do everything we can to help the hospice. It is so important that we keep raising the funds need to allow the hospice to support other families.”
The team’s route to Assington will take them off-road and through the countryside, on their route back will be along the road and they hope to create a bit of a stir and encourage some donations.
Heidi, who along with her mum and daughter, has a pair of the walk’s iconic bunny ears tattooed on her wrist, isn’t 100 per cent how long their route will be, but they are looking forward to pulling on their trainers.
One Girls Night Out supporter is keen to make sure the village of Stanton supports the event in style this year.
Elaine Channen will be proudly wearing her bunny ears and pyjamas on Saturday, 12 September, and is hoping fellow Stanton residents will join her.
Elaine said: “I’m going to make sure that Stanton Girls Night Out in style. I’m hoping, bearing in mind all government guidelines to be able to coordinate a walk that others can join.
“I have already lined up some musicians and spoken to the local pub who have said they would be happy to serve sandwiches.
“I just love the walk, the whole atmosphere of it. To look and see so many people come together in their pyjamas and bunny ears is fantastic. I embrace it; I look to accessorise my pyjamas and get my face painted.
“I have only missed one year and that year I was all ready to go, but I was so unwell and told not to do it, I was determined to give it a go right up until the last minute.”
Elaine is currently spending all of her spare time researching possible routes, with wide and flat paths that could accommodate social distancing measures.
It is Elaine’s background in the care sector which, motivates her to take part in Girls Night Out.
“I know what a huge difference the hospice makes to those it supports; the care it provides is vital. I think we all know somebody who has needed the hospice’s support. Girls Night Out is such a special event, it is always a team effort, I like being part of that and I love being involved,” said Elaine.
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