Mr Parisi – who previously played Minty Peterson in 'EastEnders' and now portrays handyman and gardener Fred Buckle in the well-loved BBC period drama ‘Call the Midwife’ – will sound the klaxon as walkers set out on the neon 10 or 6.5 mile night walk.
Star Shine Night Walk sponsored by 'Bramley Court Care Home', has a colourful new approach which will make for a memorable 10th Birthday Night for those taking part.
Since the walk started, it has raised more than £300,000 for the Charity which provides essential Hospice care to those living with a life-limiting illness in Cambridgeshire.
Tasha Hills, Senior Events Officer, comments: “We are thrilled that Cliff will be joining us at Star Shine Night Walk this year, especially as it’s the event’s 10th Birthday. As those who’ve taken part before will know, there’s always a sense of electricity and excitement in the air throughout the walk, but this year is going to be extra special. Participants will set off at the later start time of 9pm, so will be well and truly lighting up the night! Our 10th Birthday theme is NEON, so we’re expecting some ingeniously bright glow-in-the-dark outfits as walkers glow to raise money for the Hospice, often in memory of someone they love.”
Daisy Moralee, who took part in the event last year with five other members of her family, explains why it meant so much to her: “My grandfather – Terry Norman – meant the world to me and my family. He was sadly diagnosed with prostate cancer in Spring 2015 and it rapidly spread. I moved in with him for six months to help care for him, before my Mum took over. When the diagnosis became terminal, we turned to Arthur Rank Hospice and from then on the Arthur Rank Community Team were there to support us. They were on hand all the time at home and took care of him, as well as giving myself, my Mum and our family support at a time when we really needed it.
“From the bottom of my heart I simply cannot thank them enough for everything they did for him and my family: no matter what time of what day it was, they were always there when we needed them, right until my Grandad’s last breath. They were absolutely amazing, during what was a very difficult journey for us.”
Terry passed away on 6 February 2017 and three months later, his three daughters and four granddaughters got together as a team to take part in last year’s walk, raising an impressive £1,000. Daisy explains: “Last year’s walk was a time for us to give back to Arthur Rank Hospice for what they did for us and for us to also show how much we appreciated and adored our Grandad. He was in the Royal Navy for a long time and we dressed as ‘Sailor’s Girls’ - with his photo on our t-shirts - to support him, show that he was a part of the Royal Navy and the blue was for prostate cancer.”
Walkers will set out into the night from Shelford Rugby Club at the later start time of 9pm, taking in some of Cambridge’s most historical streets and beautiful countryside. They will be guided by colourful 1 mile markers, each ‘lit up’ by a different local business with:
- Lucy Furini Photography at mile 1
- Clip 'n Climb Cambridge at mile 2
- Final Finish Flooring at mile 3
- Premier Travel at mile 4
- To The Moon and Back Foster Care at mile 5
- Clare Jones Floral Design at mile 6
- Regency Cakes at mile 7
- Local Estate Agent at mile 8 and
- Scudamores at mile 9.
Headline sponsor 'Bramley Court Care Home' are entering a team of ten and add: “This is a cause close to our hearts and for the residents taking part it will be a huge and memorable achievement. We are proud to support community initiatives such as this, promoting health, wellbeing and friendship."
There will be a celebratory hot drink and bacon or veggie roll waiting for participants in the early hours of Sunday morning at the finish line, along with well-deserved medals and a colourful photo-memory opportunity.
Registrations are still open at www.starshinewalk.co.uk/register, but will close once the walk’s full capacity has been reached.
The £17.50 entry fee includes a t-shirt, an exclusive 10th Birthday celebration mug and medal, as well as refreshments.
Teams of up to 10 adults can register on the website, with larger groups invited to contact the Hospice on 01223 675888 or fundraising@arhc.org.uk.
The event team are also looking for volunteers to marshal the walk and help with other volunteer roles on the night, so if you are unable to take part in the walk itself but would like to help in another way, please contact the event team on 01223 675891 or 675886.
Those taking part are encouraged to raise funds for the Hospice through sponsorship.
Arthur Rank Hospice needs to secure £7.45 million every year to deliver services free of charge to patients and their loved ones. About half of this currently comes from statutory sources, with further funds raised thanks to the wider local community, through events such as this.