Hundreds of heroes assembled on Sutton Park on Saturday 24th September to raise vital funds at the St Giles Hospice’s Hero Walk. 

The fun day attracted over 100 brightly-dressed walkers and their doggy sidekicks, and helped to raise vital funds for patients, and their families, who are living with a terminal illness. 

Amongst the crowd of heroes was seven-year-old Joshua Motum-Reynolds, who took part in Hero Walk after his grandma died at St Giles Hospice just a few days before the event. 

He said: “I wanted to take part so that I could raise money in memory of my grandma – I’ve raised £565.”  

Josh attended the event with support from his brother, mum and dad. Josh’s dad continued to praise the care that St Giles Hospice staff provided for his mother, badging them as “awesome”. 

Walkers enjoyed refreshments and family photos at the ‘Hero Hub’ before the army of fancy dress fundraisers set off on their walk at 11am, whilst being cheered on by the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield, Councillor Janet Cairns.  

She said: “I was absolutely thrilled to attend St Giles Hospice’s first event in Sutton Coldfield – it was a fantastic event and the stalls and the volunteers supporting were absolutely brilliant. Everyone who took part is a hero for raising money for St Giles Hospice.”  

Throughout the four kilometre walk, heroes that attended were tasked with a series of challenges to complete along the way from spotting the St Giles superhero, to posing for a super selfie. 

The event featured entertainment from the Rock Choir, along with a warm up with Vanessa from Core300 in Sutton Coldfield and some motivational anthems from DJ Rob Taylor.  

Six-year-old Leo Garsed was the first person to cross the finish line. He completed the walk with his mum, dad and brother, Enso, to raise money for St Giles Hospice.  

Zoe Wright, Events Manager at St Giles Hospice, said: “We had a fantastic day for our first ever St Giles event in Sutton Coldfield – thank you to our amazing fundraisers who crossed the finish line and picked up their medals.  

“Each year the Hero Walk gives people the opportunity to pull on their capes and show they care by celebrating the hero in their own lives. They can be members of their family, someone they’ve lost, nurses, teachers – anyone who has made a difference to them who deserves a special thank you.” 

If you’d like to take part in an event or raise money for St Giles Hospice, please visit www.stgileshospice.com/events for further details.