Party boat provides bridge over troubled water for St Luke’s Neon Midnight Walk
Jun. 2017
Ladies who are set to take part in St Luke’s Neon Midnight Walk on Saturday 1 July will be given a party experience like no other, as a local party boat comes to the rescue, saving the walkers from an additional mile detour to the planned route.
With the recent news that the pedestrian footbridge, linking the Fishing Quarter to the historic Barbican Quarter of Sutton Harbour, requires additional repairs and so wouldn’t be open on the night, St Luke’s faced the challenge of how to get 2000 ladies over the small stretch of water, avoiding the additional mile detour that it may have resulted in.
Luckily Plymouth Boat Trips came to the rescue and have offered St Luke’s the use of their exclusive cruise boat ‘The Plymouth Sound’, a comfortable and spacious boat, with sound system and DJ decks. Not only providing a solution to the problem, but giving the ladies a real party experience as part of the Neon Midnight Walk route.
From 11.30pm until 4am in the morning, The Plymouth Sound will be ferrying the ladies across the water in true party style! They will be embarking at Queen Ann’s Battery then enjoying some party tunes for the short trip across the water, disembarking at Plymouth Boat Trips, outside the Boathouse cafe before continuing their sponsored walk towards the Hoe, heading to the finish line back at the Piazza on Armada Way.
Head of Fundraising at St Luke’s, Penny Hannah said, “At St Luke’s we get all kinds of problems and concerns that come up before our major events that we try to resolve. When we heard that the bridge was unavoidably closed at the Barbican we switched this into a fabulous advantage for our ladies! We have been in constant contact with Sutton Harbour Holdings to come up with a solution and luckily Plymouth Boat Trips have come to the rescue and saved the day and the additional mile for our 2000 ladies that will be taking part. Thank you to Plymouth Boat Trips for all their help in arranging a solution and thank you to the Queen Ann’s Battery for kindly letting us use their private moorings and pontoon to allow easy embarking on to the boat.”
Ben Squire from Plymouth Boat Trips said, “We’re delighted to offer the St Luke’s Neon Midnight Walkers a lift across the water and hopefully a spring in their step for such a fantastic cause. Plymouth Boat Trips wishes all the ladies the very best of luck.”
Sponsored by Nash & Co Solicitors, the city’s favourite ladies’ night out will be starting and finishing at The Piazza, Royal Parade this year and is set to be a colourful night to remember. The theme is neon, so prepare for an array of fluorescent outfits, glow sticks and face paint to guide you through the night.
There is a 3, 6 or 13.1 mile route to choose from, with party tunes and entertainment to kick start your night. Registration is just £18 and includes an exclusive neon t-shirt to wear on the night as well as a unique medal and goody bag for all finishers.
The flagship fundraising event raises in the region of £200,000 each year to ensure St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth can continue to deliver end of life care to patients at home, at Derriford Hospital or in their specialist unit at Turnchapel. Sign up now at www.stlukesmidnightwalk.co.uk.
