Rowcroft Hospice’s flagship fundraising event The Sleep Walk is back on Saturday, July 2, and this year it promises more glamour and excitement than ever with the star-studded theme of ‘Saturday night at the movies’!

Open to all for Rowcroft’s 40th anniversary year, The Sleep Walk 2022 invites people to release their inner film star and sprinkle some Hollywood magic across Torquay by taking part in this wonderful sponsored walk.

Participants will choose either a five- or 10-mile walk, starting and finishing at Torbay Leisure Centre, and raising vital funds to care for people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.

‘The Sleep Walk is an annual highlight in Rowcroft’s calendar and this year’s event is set to be even more amazing and memorable,’ said Rowcroft’s Events Manager Alexia Croft.

‘With the theme of ‘Saturday night at the movies’, people will be dressing up as iconic movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe, James Bond, Grease’s Pink Ladies, and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

‘It’s a fabulous chance to shine like a film star for the night, while having lots of laughs with friends and family and making memories to last a lifetime! We’re so grateful to all our Sleep Walkers who will be raising much-needed funds for the hospice to help care for patients and families across South Devon.

‘While The Sleep Walk has traditionally been a female-only evening, we’re delighted to be opening this year’s event to everyone – including men and boys – as a special way of celebrating the hospice’s 40th anniversary year, and we’re really hoping that as many people as possible, including families, will join in the fun!’

This year’s Sleep Walk features a staggered start, with the first walkers setting off from Torbay Leisure Centre from 7pm. The full route is ten miles from Paignton to Torquay and back, and will take approximately three to four hours to complete, but for those wanting to do the shorter five-mile route there is the option to turn-around at Preston Green.

All Sleep Walkers will receive a free film star sash to wear on the night, and they’ll be awarded a Sleep Walk medal on completion of their walk.

Rowcroft also offers the ‘virtual’ Sleep Walk option for those who prefer to take part in The Sleep Walk independently in their own way. Virtual participants will create a route of their choice and walk at any time that suits them between Saturday 2 July and Sunday 10 July.

In the 11 years that Rowcroft’s annual Sleep Walk has been running, the event has raised funds totalling over £1.5m enabling the hospice to provide specialist care and support to local patients and their families in their own homes across South Devon - from Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor - and in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit in Torquay. The charity currently cares for more than 2000 patients each year.

‘We’d like to say a massive thank you to all our brilliant Sleep Walkers for their incredible support,’ said Alexia.

‘If you’ve never entered The Sleep Walk before, then this year – Rowcroft’s 40th anniversary year – is the perfect time to try it out and to join in the wonderful celebrations of the hospice’s four decades of caring for our community.’

This year’s Sleep Walk is being sponsored by Newcross Healthcare. Co-founder and COO at Newcross Healthcare Michelle Gorringe said: ‘We’re delighted to be the main sponsor at this year’s Sleep Walk and are looking forward to supporting Rowcroft Hospice with their amazing fundraising event.

‘Our ties with the Torbay area and long-established partnership with Rowcroft make this an event close to our hearts, and we’re delighted to help raise money for this worthy cause.’

To take part in The Sleep Walk, there’s a £15 sign-up fee for under 16s, or £20 for over 16s. The event is open to children over the age of eight (though children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Please note that online sign-ups close on Sunday 19 June. The virtual event costs just £5 to sign up.

To book your place on The Sleep Walk or for further information, go to: www.rowcroftsleepwalk.org.uk