Tŷ Hafan’s first ever ‘A Walk to Remember’ event has, so far, raised more than £7,000.

Last Saturday (14 September) Stol Coffee kindly provided the pre-walk coffees at Penarth Pier before a 28-strong group set off at dawn on the six-mile walk along the coastal path to Tŷ Hafan’s hospice in Sully.

Tŷ Hafan’s Events Manager Jodana Weekley, said: “The weather couldn’t have been more perfect as we walked, talked and remembered our loved ones while the sun rose across the sea.

“When we reached Tŷ Hafan, we were met by our wonderful volunteers who were on hand with hot drinks and breakfast rolls which we all enjoyed together on the deck.

“A huge thank you to everyone who came along. It was a pleasure to spend this beautiful morning with you, reflecting and remembering. Together you’ve raised over £7,000, which is incredible and we’re beyond grateful for your support.”

Tŷ Hafan mum Michelle Murdoch, from Milford Haven, was one of the participants who did the walk.

“It was eight years ago, almost to the day, that Louis passed away in Tŷ Hafan,” said Michelle.

“We live in Milford Haven now and we like to come back to Tŷ Hafan for Louis’ birthday and for when he passed away – and we felt that taking part in the Walk to Remember was just a really nice way to remember him.”

Louis was diagnosed with the genetic neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 when he was just five months old and was not expected to live to his first birthday. In fact, he was three-and-a-half years old when he passed away at Tŷ Hafan on September 17, 2016.

“Recently me and my daughter, Lily, went to a local Tŷ Hafan bereavement memory making class in Pembrokeshire,” said Michelle.

“This class was a great way for a sibling like Lily to understand more about Tŷ Hafan as she was born after Louis passed away. Plus it was also a nice way for me to keep in contact with Tŷ Hafan.

“Louis’ dad, Greg, has done a few fundraising events for Tŷ Hafan, including the London Marathon. And over the years our friends and family have done lots of events and fundraising to support in memory of Louis, including the Taff Trail ride, Cardiff Half Marathon and many more. It means so much to us that our friends and family continue to support Tŷ Hafan in Louis’ memory, he would be so proud.”

Michelle and Greg, who live in Steynton with Lily, six, and big brother Arlo, nine, have raised £2,373 by doing the Walk to Remember.

“Our aim was to raise £200,” said Michelle, “and I only put the Justgiving page up a week before the walk itself. In the event we raised more than £2,000, which is amazing and we are so grateful for all the support.”

If you’d like to donate to Greg and Michelle’s ‘A Walk to Remember for Tŷ Hafan’ go to: Michelle Murdoch is fundraising for Tŷ Hafan (justgiving.com)