The annual Hope House Dark Run is going virtual this Halloween, so why not pull on your spookiest fancy dress to walk or run with us? Not only will you be helping local children, but you'll also earn yourself a spectacular glow in the dark medal!

The Dark Run has been an annual sell-out event for Hope House since 2014, held first at Telford Town Park, and then also at Chirk Castle. It has gone online this year because of Covid restrictions on mass gatherings.

Two local families who have received help and support from the hospice have played a starring role in both actual events, and will also be taking part in the virtual version. 

Clubbercise warm-up 

Alison and Rob Jones, and their son Rhys, who are from Newport, will be leading an online countdown to the start of the run after a special live Clubbercise warm-up. The family supports the event in memory of their son Ryan, who received respite care at Hope House.

“Hope House really has been the core of our journey. It helped us when our world was completely shattered and falling apart. They’ve given us the strength, hope and encouragement for a journey that no parent wants to travel,” says Alison.

“And we’ve got happy memories of the hospice and I’m so proud Rhys also has happy memories. He’s lived a journey that certainly Rob and I never lived at his age and he’s happy and he wants to keep his brother’s memory alive. I’m really proud of that.”

Lifetime of support

The runners will be sent on their way on the night by the Parry family from Chirk. Mum Martine and brothers Liam, Caiden and Kyle support the event in memory of little Mia who died aged just four years old after a lifetime of support from Hope House.

“At Hope House it was all about giving Mia a good life and finding a way to do the things we wanted, such as riding a rocking horse,” said Martine.

“But the support for us as a family, including sibling support for Liam, Caiden and Kyle is incredible. They go to the beach and come back having been soaked from head to toe, but you can see they’ve had such fun. I don’t know where we would be without Hope House.”

Everyone who takes part in the Dark Run will receive a limited edition bespoke Virtual Dark Run 2020 glow in the dark medal and goody bag in advance so they are ready and waiting for you at the end of the run and there will also be a fancy dress competition on the night too.

It costs £20 for an adult to enter and £5 for a child and you can sign up to the event by visiting hopehouse.org.uk/Event/virtual-dark-run