There were over 450 participants lighting up the night for the Hastings Moonlight Walk 2025 on Saturday October 4. Many people from Rye joined this seven km seafront walk which celebrates life and loved ones and helps raise much-needed funds for St. Michael’s Hospice in Hastings.
The Moonlight Walk is a perfect event for all the family to enjoy, including well-behaved four-legged friends. This year it was bigger and brighter than ever before – people grabbed their fairy lights, torches and anything that shone and set off from The Stade wearing their Moonlight Walk t-shirts.
A St Michael’s spokesperson said: “The atmosphere of the evening was fantastic, the entertainment and illuminations being a real highlight. The entertainers we had involved in the event were:
St Michael’s Hospice Choir
Rheda’s Dream Morris
Sambalanco
Hannah Giant
Ben Maier
Custard Caravan
Barney Green (accordionist)
Rye Harbour Herrings
Hastings Rock Choir
Glashin
Phil Little (Conga drums)
We’re very grateful for the support of our volunteers, entertainers and corporate partners, without whom this event simply couldn’t have happened.”
The Rye Harbour Herrings were thrilled to be involved and entertained walkers as they walked, danced ran through Bottle Alley. They were met with lots of cheers and hurrahs.
St Michael’s Hospice has now surpassed £35,000 for this event and they are delighted with the result. What an evening to be involved in and to do so much good.
One of the walkers was Harrison Williams who did the walk in honour of his grandfather, Mick D”Arcy, who passed away last year in July at the hospice. “He had a beautiful room and they did everything they could to make his last days so peaceful. I miss him greatly and doing the walk is something positive to remember him by.”
Harrison’s family, who formerly lived in Rye for many years, now own the Robin Hood at Icklesham and they all do an amazing job of fundraising for many charities throughout the year.
A poem for all those that shared the walk and remembered their loved ones:
Beneath the hush of silver skies
Where moonlight softly gleams,
We walk as one — with steady hearts,
And carry precious dreams.
Each step a whisper for the love,
That time can never fade,
Each glow that shines along the path,
A tribute gently made.
The stars look down in quiet grace,
Their light, a kind embrace,
For every soul we hold so dear,
Who left a sacred trace.
We all have been touched by cancer and we all have memories to hold dear.
Image Credits: Chris Ades , Simon Newbury , Simon Newbury , Kt bruce .