More than 150 people took part in the Hampstead Hug charity walk on Saturday

Published: 2 August, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

FRIENDS and families of lost loved ones were joined by a giant daffodil on Hampstead Heath as they started last Sunday with a giant hug in the name of charity

More than 150 people signed up to take part in the Hampstead Hug, completing either a three or six mile sponsored walk to raise funds for the Marie Curie Hospice Hampstead, in Lyndhurst Gardens, which costs £5.3million a year to run.

Every year a group of volunteers take on the task of organising the walk.

This year it was the Benson family from Highgate, who were inspired to get involved after Torie Benson, 30, was cared for at the hospice last year.

Torie’s brother, Adam, said: “Torie spent her last five months at the Hampstead Hospice. During that time she was under the care of its remarkable team of nurses, doctors, support staff and volunteers.”

He added: “We struggle to find the words to describe the exceptional care and support Marie Curie gave both Torie and us, her family, during her illness. We’re working on a memorial event for Torie, which we hope to launch next year in and around Highgate to help raise more funds for the hospice.”

To date more then £15,000 has been raised by the Hampstead Hug, with more expected before the deadline for sponsorship on August 10.