The Kent coast was home to a sea of bright pink t-shirts on Saturday 6th September, as more than 260 people walked in memory of 13-year-old Evie Dove. Together, Kent supporters raised £15,000 to fund vital training for children’s healthcare professionals.
Coinciding with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Big Coastal Walk and Little Canal Walk brought the local community together to honour Evie, who passed away in 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Inspired by her courage and love of life, her family established The Evie Dove Foundation to create a lasting legacy of hope by funding training for the professionals who care for children with complex and long-term illnesses.
Additional satellite walks took place over the weekend in the Midlands, Portsmouth, Cyprus and Orlando, bringing the fundraising total to £20,000. A further walk will take place in Oxford on 14th September.
To date, the Foundation has supported more than 180 ‘Evie Dove Heroes’ to access training opportunities, raising the standard of care for children across the UK. Following this year’s event, the Foundation expects to fund training for at least 10 more paediatric healthcare professionals.
“The support from the Kent community, and beyond, has simply blown us away,” said Matthew Paxton, Trustee of The Evie Dove Foundation. “Every step and every pound shows just how much this community cares. This incredible show of support ensures paediatric professionals can access the vital training they need to deliver the highest standard of care when children and their families need it most.”
Among the walkers was paediatric nurse Amber Selvey from Seasalter, who has received a grant from the Foundation. “I’m so grateful to the Foundation for enabling me to pursue a degree in counselling, allowing me to provide more holistic support for children and their families,” said Amber Selvey. “To see the local community’s support on Saturday was really moving,” she continued.
This year’s event also marked the finale of Dickie Mackness’s 3,600-mile national fundraising journey, which has raised over £15,000 for the Foundation. Dickie, 63, from Gloucestershire, crossed the finish line in Hythe to cheers from fellow walkers.
Participants in the Big Coastal Walk covered the 16-mile route from Hythe to Folkestone and back, while others joined the shorter 3-mile Little Canal Walk.
Thanks to generous support from headline sponsor Unit 1, alongside The Pilot, The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, and Lidl in Hawkinge, the event was cost-neutral, ensuring every penny raised goes directly to training paediatric healthcare professionals.
