As part of our annual Lavender Appeal, we invited the community to join the in-memory walk at Surrey’s picture-perfect Mayfield Lavender Farm. With fields of purple in bloom, walkers helped to raise much-needed funds for the Hospice.

Solo walkers, families, friends, children of all ages and many four-legged friends, chose between a scenic 4-mile or 8-mile walk through the lavender farm, Oaks Park and Banstead Common. Many walked in celebration of loved ones who had been cared for by St Raphael's.

The Nye family returned to the lavender walk for the second time, as a personal thank-you to the Hospice. Together, the Nye's walked in honour of their beloved Brendan, who passed away in 2020 at just 34 years old. St Raphael's community nurses, namely Marnie, Rebecca, Bernadette and Kevin, cared for Brendan in the comfort of his home and supported his family.

Ahead of this year's Lavender Appeal, Brendan's mum, Lin, sat with St Raphael's to share her story and their family's gratitude to the Hospice. She explained:

"As parents, we couldn't have asked for more from St Raphael's for the care of our son." 

Brendan's sister, Charlotte Nye, shared: 

“We signed up for the Lavender Walk in honour of my brother. We wanted to do something special as a family in his memory and give back to St Raphael’s. The Lavender Walk was the perfect fundraiser." 

This year's Lavender Walk raised £9,700 for the Hospice, with the larger Lavender Appeal garnering support just shy of £50,000. All funds go directly into the free care and support provided to patients and their families in the community. It costs the Hospice £6.5m each year to run, and with only 25% funding from the NHS, the charity has to raise £4.8m from the help of their community, through donations, fundraising, legacies, their shops and charity lottery. 

Read more news