A popular charity walk is to return to the city centre this September, raising funds to support the care of local people.
Winchester Hospice’s Purple Night Walk will mark the charity’s fifth anniversary caring for people in the local area, and this year, the event is moving to a new location.
New for 2026, the charity’s flagship event will start and end in the city’s beautiful Abbey Gardens, where participants will be able to gather and soak up the atmosphere before they embark on their challenge. With the new location comes a slightly different route, covering 7km, and this time around, the charity also promises a few surprises along the route.
Stephanie Walker, fundraising assistant at the hospice, is organising the event and said: “The Purple Night Walk is a deeply meaningful event for our community, bringing people together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones. Many participants choose to wear personal tributes, and it is incredibly poignant to see so many names and messages proudly displayed, each one representing someone remembered with love.
“For many walkers, the hospice has supported them or someone close to them during an extremely difficult time. By taking part in the walk, they are helping to ensure we can be there for the next family who needs our care and, for that, we’re incredibly grateful to all those who take part.”
Now in its fourth year, and once again proudly supported by the team at independent local estate agents Nony Kerr-Smiley, the walk has raised almost £100,000 to fund hospice care for the people of Winchester.
Tickets to the event, which takes place on Saturday, 19 September, are now on sale and priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Everyone taking part is also asked to raise at least £25 to support the hospice’s care of local people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
To find out more and book your place, visit winchesterhospice.com/nightwalk
