EIGHTEEN years after the daffodil bulbs were first planted on a strip of land opposite the Borders General Hospital to create the Field of Hope for Marie Curie Cancer Care (MCCC), the charity has decided to bring a new dimension to its ever popular annual Daffodil Walk for 2012.
The walk will be on April 1 and, as well as the traditional two-mile walk along the Field of Hope and back to the BGH, this year organisers have added a walk with a challenge.
The new walk will be 10km and will start and finish at the Care Share Nursery, BGH – like the traditional walk. It will take in some glorious scenery along paths and wooded areas, past Abbotsford, Lowood, back into Melrose and, to make the walk poignant, it will finish along the Field of Hope and back to the BGH.
Anne Macintyre, a former community fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care, who started the walk and who, with her husband Malcolm, has taken part almost every year, said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear that there are two options of Marie Curie walks this year.
“Both the traditional walk along the daffodils, and a new 10k walk, which I am already dusting down my boots in readiness for giving it a go!
“The beauty of this 10k walk is that it is a safe, scenic, low-level route, which starts and ends at the Field of Hope, so that we can still enjoy the daffodils and still meet up with friends and fellow walkers of previous years. It also offers us a little more of a challenge to encourage us to get fit and raise more sponsorship for MCCC.
“Every year, despite the weather, it amazes me the huge turn-out of folks to walk the Golden Mile of daffodils and it is heartening to know that the Field of Hope, established 18 years ago, is still attracting new people and ideas to raise vital funds for the charity.
“I hold dear in my heart fond memories of planting daffodils, the many friends met, and fun along the way, and thank all the MCCC supporters who worked tirelessly to establish the Field of Hope and this annual event”.
For further details or to register go to www.walkingsupport.co.uk/mariecurie.html or phone Maureen on 01573 224440.