Chesterfield's Ashgate Hospicecare reveals details of this year's very different Sparkle Night Walk

Thousands of people were set to take part in the annual night walk, Chesterfield’s biggest fundraising event, but it was cancelled amid the pandemic.

However, ‘Markovitz Virtual Sparkle Night 2020’ will go ahead on Saturday, September 19 and organisers say residents’ support is more important than ever.

MORE: Can you spot yourself in our Ashgate Hospicecare Sparkle Walk picture gallery from last year?

Carl Jones, fundraising manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We know that the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk is a hugely important date in the diary for thousands of our fundraisers and volunteers.

“For it not to go ahead in the usual way is disappointing for everyone. That’s why we’ve decided to launch Markovitz Virtual Sparkle Night to ensure North Derbyshire can still come together in a safe and responsible way to raise vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare.

MORE: First look inside Chesterfield pub as it prepares for July 4 reopening

“By walking, running, cycling or dancing in your bunny ears and special edition t-shirt from 8pm on Saturday, September 19, 2020, you’ll be a part of a unique virtual event unlike any other – and the difference it will make to local people living with a life-limiting illness and their families will be huge.

“Last year, more than 3,000 people came together to raise over £263,000 and we need your support again this year more than ever before to ensure Ashgate Hospicecare is here for the future.

“Please sign up now, choose a challenge involving walking, running, cycling or dancing and join us on Facebook to party from 7pm - because together, we sparkle.”

The hospice says there will be some ‘special surprises in store’ and younger children and pets will be able to get involved this year for the first time in the virtual event.

Hospice staff have had to transform the way they provide their care during the Covid-19 pandemic, in the most difficult of circumstances, and need your support more than ever.

For more details and to sign up for this year’s Markovitz Virtual Sparkle Night, click here.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor