Community support shines bright for Treetops Moonlight Walk

Hundreds of people are set to take to the streets of Derby this month, as Treetops Hospice’s annual Moonlight Walk returns to raise vital funds for local hospice care.

Taking place at Derby Market Hall from 5pm on Friday 18 September, participants will choose between a 6km or 11km route, walking in memory of loved ones and in support of the specialist care Treetops provides to local families.

This year’s event promises a lively and uplifting atmosphere with a country and western theme, and a refreshed programme of entertainment, including choirs, drummers and circus performers.

The event has been made possible through the support of a range of local suppliers and businesses, many of which have provided heavily discounted or free services to help bring the community fundraiser to life.

Leading the pre-walk warm-up is Derby-based organisation Let’s Get Active UK, which delivers fitness classes for people of all ages and abilities in community halls and care homes across the region.

Sarah Ballin, Director at Let’s Get Active UK, will be volunteering her time to lead the warm-up, and said: “I wanted to support Treetops Hospice as they have worked closely with our care home, Coxbench Hall, over the years.

“Treetops’ nurses also supported us when my father died in September 2024, which was so important to us as a family, so we’ve fundraised for Treetops ever since.

”Supporting the Moonlight Walk is a privilege and being able to conduct the warm-up means so much to me. I can’t guarantee I won’t shed a tear, but it’s all worth it for such an amazing charity.”

Derby Market Hall has been chosen as the event venue for the second consecutive year, further strengthening its partnership with the local charity.

Cllr Gurkiran Kaur, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for City Centre, Culture and Tourism, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome back the Treetops Hospice Moonlight Walk to the Market Hall for a second year – it will be a fantastic night.

“Treetops do such vital work for local families when they need it most. We’re proud to play our part in helping them raise the crucial funds needed to continue supporting our community.”

Walk participants will also be able to enjoy games and activities provided throughout the Market Hall by local family-run events company Team T Events, which has partnered with Treetops Hospice for the past two years, offering its services free of charge.

Rosie Tomlinson, Director at Team T Events, said: “Treetops Hospice provides such an important service to people and their families at some of the most difficult times in their lives, so we’re incredibly proud to support the Moonlight Walk for another year.

“At Team T Events, supporting our local community is something that’s really important to us and we couldn’t think of a better event to be part of.”

As a part-time Registered Nurse, Team T founder Rosie also has first-hand experience of working alongside palliative care teams and has seen the “incredibly positive impact” they have on patients and their families.

The walk is the hospice’s largest fundraising event of the year, bringing the community together to celebrate loved ones while raising money to help the charity continue providing its vital services across southern and central Derbyshire.