The Kirkwood Memory Walk returns this weekend, with hundreds of families set to descend on the John Smith’s Stadium to walk in memory of someone special – and there’s still time to join them.
The Kirkwood Memory Walk is one of the biggest events in the calendar and the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Kirkwood, a local hospice which supports people affected by life limiting illnesses across Kirklees.
Each year, hundreds of people travel from miles around to lace up and take on the six or 10-mile challenge. But this year, one mother and daughter duo are making an extra special effort – traveling from Milan, Italy, to join fellow supporters for a very special cause.
Vittoria Butti, 44, and Janet Butti, 70, will be walking in memory of Vittoria’s grandparents, Marie and Geoffrey, this Saturday. Making the near 1,000-mile trip over to Huddersfield, the mother and daughter team are proud to be taking part in the walk on the night.
Vittoria said: “We are taking part in the walk in memory of Grandma Marie who died on March 17, 1994, in The Kirkwood’s In-Patient Unit at Dalton, and my grandad Geoffrey, who died on April 8, 2020 through old age.
“My mother moved to Italy in 1975, so I was born and grew up in Milan. I didn’t get to see my grandparents very often. Maybe three or four times a year. However, I had a wonderful time with them when they came to visit and when we went to visit them in Almondbury.
“My mum did the walk a few years ago with her brother John. This year my uncle won’t be taking part, but my mum booked the plane tickets to come for the walk, determined to do it alone. When she told me, I immediately said I wanted to do the walk too to share that experience with her – so I booked the same plane tickets!
“We are both very excited and we are looking forward to it. My mum has very good memories of the previous walk she took part in.
“She said walking in the darkness of the night was wonderful. She also said that many people were wearing photos of loved ones on their T-shirts, and she really liked that too.”
We are hoping many more people from Kirklees join Vittoria and Janet on the night and take part in The Kirkwood’s fantastic event.
The funds raised from The Kirkwood Memory Walk help to support the charity’s aims to support everyone affected by any life limiting illness, as well as caring for their families and loved ones.
The Kirkwood’s Events Manager, Katie Fielding, is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of families to the event for just the second time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Kirkwood Memory Walk is always a special event. It’s much more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance for the whole of our community to come together and do something amazing in memory of people they love.
“It’s always a fantastic night, full of joy, laughter and tears, and the occasional blister. As well as remembering those that mean the most to them, our walkers are helping to make sure that we can continue to reach those in need, wherever and whenever they need us.”
There’s still time to sign up for The Kirkwood Memory Walk this Saturday. Walkers can head down to the John Smith’s Stadium and sign up on the night, with registration open from 8pm.
