On 7 April 2017, Kim Wilkins’ daughter, Kellie passed away at the age of 33, leaving behind four children.
Kellie was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and spent her remaining days at ellenor Gravesend surrounded by her treasured family and friends. Touched by the care given to her daughter, mother Kim was inspired to show ellenor how grateful she is. Joined by her three friends, Jacky, Lisa and Vicky aka Kellie’s Heroes, the ladies undertook the epic 26.2 mile walk from Tower Bridge, London to the ellenor hospice in Gravesend on Sunday 20 May 2018 – just four days before Kellie’s 35th birthday .
Kim said “I was inspired to take part in the Walkathon as a way to give something back to ellenor – after they took such wonderful care of not only my daughter but myself and her family. I spent the whole three weeks at the hospice with Kellie and there are no words to explain how amazing everyone was. Kellie was so brave and my absolute hero.
I can honestly say that Kellie, who was so scared to come into the hospice felt so at home there, she had an amazing sense of humour right up till the day before she died, still joking with the staff about checking out tomorrow. We are delighted to have been able to raise over £2,600 for ellenor – in memory of our beloved Kellie – enabling this wonderful charity to continue supporting families like Kellie’s. The support we have received from our friends, family and our local community has been overwhelming, we have been truly touched”.
This well established event has raised over £100,000 since it began in 2010 and aims to raise much needed funds supporting local charity ellenor – a leading provider in specialist palliative and end of life care, and the only charity in Kent providing hospice care for people of all ages in their place of choice, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and Children’s Hospice at Home.
Emma Bowles ellenor’s Senior Events Fundraiser said: “Thank you to the 94 walkers who took part in ellenor’s Sponsored Walkathon on Sunday, and the friends and family who supported them on the day. The walk has raised over £12,000 for local families facing terminal illness so far, with more sponsorship still coming in”.
If you would like to help raise vital funds to support families facing terminal illness in Kent and South East London or are interested in becoming a volunteer find out more at www.ellenor.org. We have a number of events and challenges throughout the year; registration for our flagship annual Twilight Walk on Friday 21 September is now open, visit www.ellenor.org/events.