Stepping out to remember St Catherine's volunteer

Barry Ashton was well-known by supporters of the St Catherine’s Hospice Moonlight and Memories Walk, encouraging walkers with an infectious smile and by dishing out sweets.

He volunteered at many events with the Lostock Hall hospice after his wife was cared for there in 1999. Barry sadly passed away there last October, and now his daughters, Louise Betteridge and Janice Walmsley, are celebrating his memory by helping out with this year’s 10-mile walk on July 1.

Mum-of-two Louise, from Penwortham, said: “Dad has been helping at the Moonlight and Memories Walk for as long as we can all remember, and it was one of his favourite annual events at the hospice.

“He loved the buzz of it all and was well known for his laughter and his supply of sweets.

“As a family we have helped with the registration and other jobs. The youngest member, my 12-year-old niece Libby, is very proud to help hand out the medals when the walkers return to the hospice.

“A few of us have walked the route as well, and Libby is walking this year with a group of friends and family. Her sister Tilly and my son William, who are both 16, want to help out like their grandad, as they have many happy memories of doing that with him. My husband Anthony and Janice’s husband Michael also get involved setting things up, so it really is a family affair.”

Janice added: “We will continue to support the hospice at all the events, as that is what dad wanted, and we are really grateful that he got his wish of ending his days in a place that helped him when mum died. It was also a place where he made many wonderful friends.”