logo
Wrexham: Hundreds take part in Nightingale's Midnight Walk

Wrexham: Hundreds take part in Nightingale's Midnight Walk

Leader Live08-06-2025
Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham was transformed into a sea of sparkle, colour and compassion on Saturday (June 7), as hundreds of supporters came together for Nightingale House Hospice's annual Midnight Walk, one of the charity's most loved and emotional fundraising events.
Walkers turned out in bright clothing, flashing bunny ears, glowing flower necklaces and light-up tutus for the late-night event.
Many were walking in memory of loved ones and to raise vital funds to help Nightingale House continue delivering free, expert care for people living with life-limiting and progressive illnesses.
Participants could choose between a 5k or 10k route, both flat and fully accessible, winding through the streets of Wrexham.
Before the official midnight countdown for the walk to begin, the crowd was treated to live music from local favourites Rhythm Train, followed by a high energy warm up led by Freedom Leisure.
One of those taking part this year was Carole Jones, who walked alongside her daughter, Mollie, in memory of her mum, Jacqueline Jones.
Mollie and Carole Jones (left) walked in memory of Jacqueline Jones (right). (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) Carole said: 'My mum came to the hospice with metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her bones.
'The care she received was amazing, nothing was too much trouble. When she could barely eat, the kitchen staff even made special trips to Asda to get her favourite oxtail soup.
'Mum came back to the hospice towards the end of her life, she was never uncomfortable, and we were always welcomed with such kindness.
'The support I had from the Family Support Team afterwards really helped me. I love the atmosphere at the Midnight Walk and always get quite emotional.'
As Nightingale House Hospice celebrates its 30th anniversary, the support of hundreds of event participants, through their sponsorship, helps ensure that patients and their families across Northeast Wales and the border areas continue to receive free care and support, at a time when running costs have risen to over £5 million a year.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of over 50 incredible volunteers, who worked alongside staff to help with everything from event set-up and registration to marshalling the route and cheering on walkers throughout the night.
MOST READ:
Plans for 121 affordable homes near Flintshire town recommended for approval
LOOK: "Delightful" home in "idyllic" setting goes on the market in Wrexham
Concerns raised over future of Grade I listed bridge in Wrexham
Elise Jackson, Events and Community Fundraising Manager at Nightingale House Hospice, said: 'Seeing so many people walking through Wrexham under the stars, united by love, hope and purpose, is truly moving.
'Every single person who took part, whether they walked, fundraised, volunteered or supported behind the scenes, has helped make a real difference.
'We're especially grateful to our amazing volunteers, who give up their time to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.
'The Midnight Walk is always an emotional but uplifting night, and in celebration of the hospice's 30th anniversary, it felt even more special.'
Local businesses including Hoya who sponsored the event, Papa John's, Hickory's Smokehouse, Kellogg's, Village Bakery, Moneypenny, and Hafren Dyfrdwy also played their part, generously donating food, refreshments, and glitter to help fuel the fun and keep walkers smiling every step of the way.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MS for Wrexham pays tribute to Nightingale House Hospice
MS for Wrexham pays tribute to Nightingale House Hospice

Leader Live

time04-08-2025

  • Leader Live

MS for Wrexham pays tribute to Nightingale House Hospice

MS for Wrexham Nightingale House Hospice has provided vital care and support to patients and their families for more than 30 years and it is clearly appreciated by the local community. In addition to providing specialist palliative care for those with life-limiting illnesses, Nightingale House also offers a wide range of services for individuals and families, including an out-patient clinic, occupational therapy, complementary therapies, physiotherapy including a hydrotherapy pool and an ambulance service. A range of bereavement support services are offered including a specialist service for children and young adults. I am in regular correspondence with Nightingale House and I recently visited the hospice once again to meet with Chief Executive, Lauren Emberton and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chris Burgoyne. In recent years, the hospice has undergone an extensive renovation, with the centrepiece being a state-of-the-art 12-bed in-patient ward. More than £5m was invested in total and the work was finally completed in May 2024, following delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The dedicated staff deliver outstanding care and support and following my latest visit, I have written to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, inviting him to visit so he can see firsthand all the excellent work that takes place. I also want to pay tribute to the 450 active volunteers who make such an invaluable contribution. Without their tireless efforts, the hospice would simply not be able to function. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic facility on our doorstep. Nightingale House remains a pillar of our community and I will continue to do all I can to support the hospice. In case you have missed it, Europe's largest cultural event is underway in Wrexham! The National Eisteddfod is taking place on the outskirts of the city centre in Isycoed until Saturday 9 August. I talked about it in greater detail in last week's column but every day this week there will be a wide range of activities and events taking place that the whole family can enjoy. Tickets are still available and I look forward to seeing people on the 'Maes'. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743. You can also keep up to date by following me on 'X' (Twitter) and Facebook, just search @lesley4wrexham.

Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham praised by MS
Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham praised by MS

Leader Live

time29-07-2025

  • Leader Live

Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham praised by MS

Member of the Senedd for Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths, described Nightingale House Hospice as a 'pillar of our community' and commended its 'wraparound service' for individuals with life-limiting conditions during a recent visit. Ms Griffiths said: "Nightingale House has provided vital care and support to patients and their families for more than 30 years and it is clearly appreciated by the local community. "It provides not just end-of-life care, but a wraparound service for patients with life-limiting conditions." The Wrexham hospice delivers specialist palliative care and a range of services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapies, and bereavement support for all ages. It also operates a hydrotherapy pool, an outpatient clinic and ambulance service. Following her visit, Ms Griffiths wrote to Jeremy Miles, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for health and social care, to invite him to see the hospice first-hand. READ MORE: Wrexham girl, 9, who beat leukaemia opens her own art exhibition in city centre She said: "Special praise must go to the dedicated staff who deliver outstanding care and support and I also want to pay tribute to the 450 active volunteers who make such an invaluable contribution. "It was good to catch up with Lauren and Chris. "Nightingale House remains a pillar of our community and I will continue to do all I can to support the hospice." The hospice recently completed a £5 million refurbishment, including a new 12-bed in-patient ward, in May 2024.

Iowa boy born at 21 weeks is now the world's most premature baby
Iowa boy born at 21 weeks is now the world's most premature baby

The Independent

time25-07-2025

  • The Independent

Iowa boy born at 21 weeks is now the world's most premature baby

A little boy born at only 21 weeks of gestation has officially broken the record for the world's most premature baby. Nash Keen was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on July 5, 2024. That's 133 days, or around 19 weeks, earlier than his expected due date. He weighed just 10 ounces at birth. The infant spent the next six months in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital before he was allowed to go home with his parents Mollie and Randall Keen, in January. After celebrating his first birthday this month, Nash officially received the Guinness World Record for most premature baby, beating the organization's previous record holder born in 2020 in Alabama by just one day. 'Nash is so full of personality. He's a happy baby,' his mother Mollie Keen said Wednesday. 'Being in the NICU as long as he was, you'd think that he would be, you know, more fragile and stuff. And he's not. He's a very determined, curious little boy, and he's just all smiles all the time.' Nash is among a growing number of extremely premature infants who are getting lifesaving treatment and surviving. His parents had already experienced the heartbreak of losing a baby when a first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Mollie discovered she had a medical condition that may make it difficult for her to carry a baby to full term. After becoming pregnant with Nash, the Keens learned at Mollie's 20-week prenatal checkup that she was already two centimeters dilated. Doctors don't typically try to perform lifesaving measures for babies born before 22 weeks gestation as most born that young can't survive. But with medical help she was able to stall the birth to exactly 21 weeks. 'One of the things I noticed about the medical team is that they were very calm,' Mollie recalled. 'You never really saw them, like, get anxious or anything. And so we kind of just learned to, like, watch them. And if, you know, if the doctors and the nurses weren't freaking out, there was no reason for us to freak out.' Dr. Malinda Schaefer, a high-risk obstetrician who delivered Nash just hours after he surpassed the 21-week mark, described his birth as a new frontier in maternal fetal medicine. While the boy has experienced some complications and developmental delays common to those born extremely prematurely, his progress has been as good as medical science could hope for, his doctors say. At just over a year old, Nash remains on oxygen to help him breathe and is fed solely through a feeding tube, although he's preparing to try pureed foods. He also has a minor heart defect, which his doctors believe will resolve itself as he gets older. He's not yet crawling, but he is rolling over. "He's learning how to stand on his two feet, which is awesome," his mother said. 'He's got a lot of strength in those legs.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store