Bury Hospice’s first 'Forget-Me-Not' Memory Walk will take place on Sunday, March 20.

The hospice fundraising team has organised the event, sponsored by Newbank Garden Centre, to raise vital funds for our patients and their families.

It costs just £15 to sign up for an adult and £5 for an under 16-year-old and you will receive a hospice t-shirt, a dedication flower, forget-me-not seeds and a sponsorship form.

The walk will commence at our old premises in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe. There will be a visit through the old hospice building and we will finish at our current hospice in Rochdale Old Road, a 3.6 mile long route.

Brenda Caffrey, wife of Bury Hospice’s first chairman, Colin Caffrey, will start the walk along with the Deputy Mayor of Bury.

The late Mr Caffrey, an MBE, Bury’s very own 'Mr Hospice' who was saluted by The Queen in 1994 for his exceptional dedication to the health service and people of Bury.

The couple moved from Liverpool to Bury in 1969 and Mr Caffrey was appointed hospice chairman in September 1983 at an inaugural general meeting.

He went on to play a key role in the development, opening and operation of the Dumers Lane site, which was opened on June 24, 1991 by the Duchess of Kent.

He had been involved in the health service locally for more than 20 years, serving on Bury Community Health Council and the former Bury Health Authority.

Mr Caffrey had been vice chairman of Bury’s Health Services Authority and chairman of its services committee.

It is his devotion and dedication to Bury Hospice for which he will be best remembered though.

He took early retirement from his role at BT in 1992 so he could spend more time fulfilling his role as chairman.

Mr Caffrey died on January 30th, 2002. He was taken ill while travelling home by train after attending a hospice movement meeting in London.

Mrs Caffrey said: “It will be a privilege to start the Memory Walk at the old hospice building where Colin was chair. It was 20 years in January since Colin died so being involved in the memory walk will be a lovely tribute to Colin’s memory.”

Refreshments will be provided along the route and at the finish and guides will be on hand for help with directions so you can walk at your own pace. You will also have the opportunity to dedicate a flower at the hospice in memory of your loved one. There will be a celebratory party with food stalls and a DJ at the finish line.

For more information or to sign up go to https://www.buryhospice.org.uk/memorywalk or e-mail fundraising@buryhospice.org.uk

To donate in memory of your loved one, visit https://www.buryhospice.org.uk/donate