Dorothy House will be holding an eight-mile walk, the ‘Men’s Walk To Support’ on Sunday 13th February to raise vital funds to continue offering their services.
The walk is an opportunity for men aged over twelve to join together in solidarity, share their life journeys together, and raise money to help Dorothy House provide crucial end-of-life care for the community.
The walk will start at 12 noon from Dorothy House in Winsley, and participants will set off on a route that follows along the canal and finishes at Bath Pavilion, just in time to watch the Six Nations England v Italy match at 3pm.
Participants are being encouraged to team up with brothers, sons, dads and friends, or they can take on the walk solo.
Josephine Millard’s son received care from Dorothy House. She said: “It is only when you’re faced with a life-limiting illness that you’re forced to look within yourself and face fears that you didn’t know existed.
“This was our son’s journey at the age of 33 – he was faced with a terminal diagnosis with a poor prognosis. Sadly, his cancer was aggressive, and he lost his life 7 months after his diagnosis.
“However, during that time he made efforts to connect with others facing a similar journey and his wish was that he could just talk to another guy of a similar age going through the same thing, ‘coz no one else really understands’.
“He was fortunate to have the support of a male specialist nurse from Dorothy House who he could discuss some of his concerns and anxieties with.
“There is no question that the majority of men deal with emotional issues very differently from women, and this needs to be acknowledged and respected. Men need men to talk to, to be with, to share their deepest thoughts and to be able to cry openly too, if that’s what is needed.
“But it needs to be with other men who have or are facing similar difficulties and problems. This creates a ‘safe’ and ‘comfortable’ space for men to open up if they feel they need to with other men who will understand and in an informal way.
“It’s like joining a club that initially no one really wants to be in, and yet within a short space of time, can’t be without.
“Chances are there would be a lot of sport talk too! So, a few hours walking with men supporting men sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”
Anthony Millard added: “May I take this opportunity to encourage you to join with me on this walk where we talk and chat about life and the issues that other bereaved parents and family and friends or patients who are gravely ill, might not be able to discuss in their everyday lives.
“For me personally, as a man, I do find it hard to talk openly about my own sadness and heartache.
“Maybe it is built within our genes but I have been so fortunate to have had the chance to off load some of my grief and have been helped to understand why I think and feel the way I do.
“I know now that I am not alone and if there is anything that I have learnt then I know this could also help others face some of their own demons.
“I look forward to this walk and I hope it can help raise an awareness that it is ok to ask for help.”
Entry is £25 and all participants will receive a free event t-shirt along with a free pint and food at the end.
To help raise much-needed funds for Dorothy House, participants are encouraged to raise as much as they can to help the charity continue to provide their free end-of-life care to families who need them.
Those who manage to raise over £200 in sponsorship for Dorothy House will receive a free beanie hat.
Whether you’re walking to show your support for Dorothy House, to find some support yourself, or in memory of a loved one, Dorothy House would like you to join them.
You can sign up today by visiting dorothyhouse.co.uk and search for ‘Men’s Walk To Support’.