Trio of ladies are looking forward to their night of walking under the stars
(The Gazette 06/6/2007)
Build-up to event for The Hospice of St Francis continues
by Adam Barnes

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE: Liz Martin, above, is taking part in next month's Walk With The Stars event.

When mother of three, Liz Martin, from Potten End, suffered a severe stroke five years ago and found that after three days of unconsciousness she couldn't walk or talk, the future looked bleak.

After months of physiotherapy and speech therapy, doctors told her that she would never fully regain her speech or be able to fully walk again.
But the 47-year-old did not give up and made an extraordinary recovery.
She cast aside the bright yellow wheelchair doctors offered her and she flatly refused to have a stairlift installed. "I don't need them", she declared. "I will walk and I will talk."

With a positive outlook on life she has managed to do all the things she wants swimming, horse riding, pilates, and she is even re-learning Spanish.
One close friend said: "Her utter drive, determination and strong ability not to give in has made Liz the person she is today. She is a remarkable lady and a fantastic wife and mother."

Her next challenge is to take part in a 12-mile midnight walk from Hemel Hempstead to Berkhamsted and back again on Saturday, July 7 to raise money for The Hospice of St. Francis.
She will be donning her lipstick and trainers along with the 800 other women expected to turn up for the Hospice event, Walk with the Stars.
"After a difficult five years battling the stroke, I feel ready to take on a challenge," Liz said after Fran Martin, the organiser of the walk and a personal friend, convinced her that she could do it.

Liz, of Hempstead Lane, Potten End, is currently in training for the walk, doing regular pilates sessions and walking as much as she can. And her three children certainly keep her busy.
"My training is going well but I need encouragement and sponsorship from you lot!" said Liz.
The whole community is backing the walk, with a number of local firms sponsoring the event.

TAKING PART: Penny Maton, above, is taking part in the event to honour her late husband Philip, who was one of the first patients at the Hospice's new site.

The Hospice of St Francis is a cause very close to the heart of another walker, Penny Maton, of Mercury Walk, Hemel Hempstead, whose late husband Philip was one of the first patients to use the new Hospice.

She did not hesitate to sign up for Walk with the Stars so she could do her bit.
"Phil was so impressed with all the doctors' support and the care the nurses gave to make him and all the family feel at home. I felt Phil would have wanted everyone to know about the support and services the Hospice can offer," she said.

Also competing is Sally Green, pictured furthest left.

One other walker who will be participating is Sally Green, who will be doing the walk with her 'breast mates'.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2005.
After enduring a masectomy in January 2006, followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and then reconstruction work in January 2007, she too, like Liz came out fighting and is now back to work at Hemel Hempstead School.

Sally, of Gravel Hill, Hemel Hempstead, said: "My friends decided to do the walk basically as my illness made them more aware of their own mortality, and supporting our local hospice, which does such important work, was the obvious choice," said Sally.

You can sponsor Liz Martin by visiting www.justgiving.com/lizmartinxx and Phils Girls by visiting www.justgiving.com/philsgirls

The Hospice are still on the look out for more women to take part in the walk and still need men to steward the event, so husband and wife teams are more than welcome.
The deadline for registration is June 15.

For more info about the walk, visit www.walkwiththestars.org.uk or call the Hospice Fundraising Team on 01442 869555.