From Eastbourne to Seaford, Heathfield to Uckfield, Hailsham to Polegate, and all points in between, St Wilfrid’s is part of an amazing community of people who have supported us for over 40 years. The connections we have throughout this corner of Sussex gives us our strength and inspiration to continue our work to support patients and families that need our care.
This Wilf Week we want to celebrate every part of that community and we’ve joined the dots on the map of the St Wilfrid’s catchment area and we invite you to join us on Saturday 19th October to show your support of the hospice.
Split into 6 sections, there are 5 walking routes and 1 cycle route. Distances vary from around 3miles to the most challenging 14 miler. Each one is led by one of our Route Ambassadors, who all have a very special connection to St Wilfrids. You can meet them below, read their stories and sign up to join them.
Route 1 Walk | Seaford to Eastbourne | Approx 14 miles
Starting at the St Wilfrid’s Seaford shop and finishing at our shop in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. Mostly following the South Downs Way, we estimate this walk will take around 7 hours. There will be a refreshment stop along the way, supported by hospice staff and volunteers.
Route 2 Walk | Approx 6 miles.
Eastbourne (Terminus Road to St Wilfrid’s Hospice)
Route 3 Walk | Approx 3 miles.
Eastbourne to Polegate
Route 4 Walk | Approx 7 miles.
Polegate to Hailsham
Route 5 Walk | Approx 8.5 miles.
Hailsham to Heathfield
Route 6 Cycle | Approx 16 miles.
Herstmonceux to Uckfield
Louise | Event Participant
Route 1: Walk from Seaford to Eastbourne. Approx 14 miles
Louise is our challenge superhero, having taken on Starlight Stroll, trekked the Sahara, walked the Camino de Santiago, and cycled from Eastbourne to Paris and to Amsterdam.
Louise will lead the longest of our Join the Dots routes, starting at the St Wilfrid’s Seaford Shop and finishing at our shop in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. Mostly following the South Downs Way, this walk is around 14 miles and we estimate will take around 7 hours. There will be a refreshment stop along the way, supported by hospice staff and volunteers.
Challenge events are often described as life-changing and once in a lifetime experiences. Whether you want to skydive or trek, cycle or swim, there is a challenge out there that is just right for you. To find out more about the fantastic challenges and events that St Wilfrid’s offers, go to stwhospice.org/events or contact our Events Team on events@stwhospice.org
Whiteline | Corporate Partner
Route 2: Walk between our Eastbourne shops and finsih at St Wilfrid’s Hospice: approx 6 miles
We have a generous and supportive business community in the St Wilfrid’s area and for Route 2, they are represented by Whiteline. Whiteline are a long-standing supporter, and have held raffles, bake sales and fun days to raise vital money for the hospice. They were the headline sponsor for the Fire Walk in 2023 and Rainbow Run in 2024, and have also entered teams in the golf days, Rainbow Run, and attended the annual Christmas Gala.
This route takes in four of our Eastbourne shops – Terminus Road, Langney Road, Green Street and our Donation Centre on Moy Avenue, before finishing at the hospice on Broadwater Way. Approx 6 miles.
There are so many ways for local businesses to get involved with the hospice; from sponsoring and attending events to donating items for raffles and auctions, staff fundraising to coming along to our business breakfast networking event. We welcome even the smallest business; perhaps a collection pot on a counter or putting up a poster in a window – everything makes a difference. For larger businesses, we have our Partners scheme; aligning with an established and respected local charity and celebrating that support can be a positive message to customers, suppliers and staff.
If you are a local business and would like to learn more about what we do and how you could get involved, please get in contact with our Corporate Fundraisers, Debbie or Dave, on corporates@stwhospice.org
Colin and Shaun | CEO and Chair of Trustees
Route 3: Walk from St Wilfrid’s Hospice to Polegate Shop: approx 3 miles
Colin Twomey, our CEO and Shaun O’Leary, Chairman of Trustees, will be leading the walk between the hospice and our Polegate shop. Between them they represent the leadership and staff of St Wilfrid’s.
They will start from St Wilfrid’s on Broadwater Way and take an easy route, on paths, to our shop in Polegate High Street.
St Wilfrid’s has been delivering exceptional hospice care to our community for over 40 years, offering support to patients and their families both in our inpatient unit and at home. With a team made up of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, counsellors, therapists, social workers and a myriad of support staff, there are over 200 staff and 600 volunteers working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to make sure that no-one dies alone, afraid or in pain. It costs nearly £16,000 a day to deliver these services, most of which is made up of donations from our generous and supportive community.
To find out more about St Wilfrid’s, our mission and our aims, go to stwhospice.org/aboutus
Kerry | Patient's wife
Route 4: Walk from Polegate Shop to Hailsham Shop: approx 7 miles (Cuckoo Trail)
Meet Kerry. Her story is poignant and special. Her husband, Shawn, was looked after at the hospice in 2017 and we are grateful to Kerry for joining us for the Wilf Week walk. Kerry is representing the families who have experienced the care and support of St Wilfrid’s.
Leaving from our Polegate shop, you will be walking to our shop in Hailsham, walking for approx 7 miles, mainly on the Cuckoo Trail.
Perhaps you have also known the care of St Wilfrid’s and have your own hospice story? Walking and talking, in the quiet countryside of the Cuckoo Trail, could be a gentle way to remember. Kerry will be walking with her dog and they both look forward to your company. If you have your own furry friend, why not bring them along for the walk?
To find out more about the services that St Wilfrid’s offers, go to stwhospice.org/ourcare
Rotary Club of Heathfield | Community supporters
Route 5: Walk from Hailsham Shop to Heathfield Shop: approx 8.5 miles (Cuckoo Trail)
If you’re a part of any kind of community group, small or large, why not join with the Rotary Club of Hailsham and celebrate the contribution that our local people make to St Wilfrid’s?
Route number 5, walking from our Hailsham shop to our Heathfield shop, will take you straight up the Cuckoo Trail.
The Rotary Club of Hailsham have been supporting the hospice for over 10 years and, as well as doing some fantastic fundraising they have invited us to talk to their members at meetings and they are generous with their time, volunteering to help at events like our Rainbow Run and Open Gardens.
Our Community Fundraisers would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to support St Wilfrid’s; whether you would like a talk to members, a tour of the hospice or help with a fundraising event. Get in touch with Michele or Kayleigh at community@stwhospice.org
Wilf Riders | Challengers
Route 6: Cycle from Herstmonceux to Uckfield: approx 16 miles
This awesome team of cyclists is made up of supporters who have completed some epic challenges; the Wilf Ride from Eastbourne to Paris, and Hospices to Holland from Eastbourne to Amsterdam. They are taking on this more local challenge to raise awareness of our communities outside of Eastbourne.
They will be riding between our shops in Herstmonceux, Heathfield and Uckfield. They will also make a pit stop at our Uckfield Hospital base, looking in on our nursing team that focus our support to patients and families in the north of our area.
Some people may think that our services are focused in Eastbourne, after all that’s where you’ll find our purpose-built, state of the art, hospice building in Broadwater Way. But our work reaches much further; from Herstmonceux to Heathfield, Uckfield down to Seaford and not forgetting Hailsham and all the surrounding villages. A team of our nurses are based at Uckfield hospital, where they can deliver care to patients in their own homes; when travelling to Eastbourne might be both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Did you know that 70% of people would make a choice to die in their own homes? Our community nursing services are vital in helping make this a reality.
To find out more about our community nursing services, go to stwhospice.org/hospice-at-home/
