• Twilight walk gives young fundraisers and families opportunity to support MFT hospitals
• Registration includes free lantern, worry pouch and compass for everyone taking part courtesy of event sponsors Happy Linen and Illumina
• Young fundraiser Charlie Drinkwater will be taking part in her wheelchair to say thank you for the care she received at RMCH

On Saturday 9 November, families are invited to experience Manchester’s Heaton Park in a new light with Manchester Foundation Trust Charity’s sponsored Lantern Walk.

The Lantern Walk holds a significant place in the hearts of many of our fundraisers and one young fundraiser who will be taking part in her wheelchair this year is Charlie Drinkwater. Alongside her family, Charlie will be fundraising at the Lantern Walk to say thank you to the staff at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) that have cared for her over recent years.

Charlotte “Charlie” Drinkwater has a combination of complicated medical conditions that means for much of her early life she would often stop breathing and go into cardiac arrest. Charlie has undergone countless surgeries in her life, with her parents Rebecca and Andrew learning CPR to always be at the ready.

Born on Valentines Day in 2017, having already been diagnosed with spina bifida while still in the womb, she remained in hospital for four weeks before she was discharged. Unfortunately, she was back within the fortnight when she had started to suffer from respiratory distress. This was the beginning of what would be almost ten months as an inpatient at RMCH.

Whilst her conditions mainly affect her respiratory system, Charlie has undergone a variety of surgeries including to her spine and brain.

Following on from her most recent seven month stay at RMCH for neurosurgeries between 2022 and 2023, Charlie’s health has been at an all-time high. She is now off oxygen and her condition so stable that she no longer has to carry her resuscitation equipment at all times.

Charlie’s mum Rebecca says: “At this point we’ve lost count of both the surgeries and admissions she’s had over her seven plus years. RMCH staff have watched her grow up, grow stronger, become more determined and more independent, but they’ve also seen the horrors – so many surgeries, so many ICU stays, the highest highs and the lowest lows.

“They help make sure that the life she leads isn’t just a life, it’s a good life. She survived and she thrives because of them, and we hold no doubts that no matter what the future holds they will always be Charlie’s biggest supporters.

“We are taking part in the Lantern Walk again this year because we have a daughter filled to the brim with love, cheekiness and utter chaos, who is absolutely thriving thanks to RMCH.”

The Lantern Walk will take place on Saturday November 9, 2-6pm, with families walking around North Manchester’s Heaton Park, to help fundraise for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s family of hospitals. As the evening draws in, children can light their way with a free lantern, creating a twinkling light spectacle.

Families can choose one of two carefully curated, fully accessible routes around the park (two and five kilometres), with registered participants receiving a free lantern, worry pouch and compass courtesy of event sponsors Happy Linen and Illumina, with registration starting from £6. Spotter sheets will also be available for children to interact with their surroundings along the route, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of the park.

Free family entertainment at the event will include The Night Creatures band, stilt walkers and young Manchester musician Jacey-Mae. Food and drink stalls will also be available, with prizes for the best fundraisers.

Charlie’s fundraising journey can be followed on her JustGiving page.

To sign up to Lantern Walk visit: www.mftcharity.org.uk/events/lantern-walk/

Viv Williamson, Events Manager at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity says:

“The Lantern Walk is one of our favourite times of the year and it’s a lovely opportunity for the whole family to come together in the name of fundraising and experience Heaton Park as the seasons change. It’s always such a magical moment seeing the lanterns twinkling through the trees as the sun goes down.

This year’s event is better than ever with added goodies for everyone taking part and some great fundraising prizes from our fantastic sponsors. We’re extremely grateful to everyone that has signed up to fundraise for us and it’s lovely to see so many families involved that want to say thank you for the tremendous care they’ve received from our family of hospitals. There’s still plenty of time to sign up and we’d encourage everyone to come along and fundraise for a great cause.”

Amar Gangani, Managing Director of Happy Linen says:

“We’re delighted to be coming on board as event sponsors once again for this year’s Lantern Walk. The family-friendly event is such a fun and lively day, we’re looking forward to being back at Heaton Park and seeing all of the twinkling lanterns and happy faces of event participants.

“Our wonderful NHS hospitals achieve incredible things on a daily basis. We feel honoured to be supporting Manchester Foundation Trust Charity.”

Mark Robinson, VP and GM, UK & Ireland and Northern Europe, Illumina, said:

“Illumina is proud to be one of the sponsors for this year’s Lantern Walk event. This unique event is just one of the ways that our team here in the UK is giving back to communities in which we live and work, while at the same time having a lot of fun!”