Colleagues from Fletchers Group in Southport will be among thousands of people taking part in the Star Trekk 10k walk in Southport this Friday (8th May 2026).
Among them will be Fletchers Group Learning & Development Business Partner Jen Nickeas, whose Grandma Mary was involved with Queenscourt from the start, helping Dr Karen Groves MBE to launch the hospice.
This year, Queenscourt Hospice is celebrating 35 years of providing compassionate care to tens of thousands of families across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.
80% of the £7 million that the charity needs to provide vital services comes through donations and funding through events such as Star Trekk.
Today is the final time you can sign up for the walk: Star Trekk 2026 – Queenscourt Hospice
Jen Nickeas said: “This Friday, I’ll be taking on the Queenscourt Star Trekk with some of my colleagues from Fletchers Group.
“For me, this isn’t just a charity walk… it’s something much more personal.
“Queenscourt Hospice has been part of my family story for years. My Grandma Mary was there right at the very beginning, helping Karen Groves with the original set up back in the early ‘90s.
“After retiring from nursing, she went back as a volunteer, leading a team supporting patients and their families.
“She even got to meet Princess Diana when she officially opened the hospice in 1991, which must have been such a special moment. Even now, there’s still a cupboard named after her… ‘Mary’s cupboard’.
“It’s always been part of our lives… my Auntie Cathy has worked there, my sister still works there today, and when my nan needed support at the end of her life, it was Queenscourt who were there for her and for us.
“It’s one of those places that quietly does incredible work… supporting people and families when they need it most.
“But right now, it’s facing the toughest challenge in its history. Queenscourt is operating with around a £2 million annual deficit, has already had to halve its inpatient beds, and there are real concerns about its long-term future if funding doesn’t improve.
“The reality is… services like this rely heavily on fundraising and community support just to keep going.
“If anyone would like to join us on the walk, you would be so welcome … it’s a brilliant event and such a lovely way to support an important cause.”
You can support Jen Nickeas’ JustGiving page here: Jen Nickeas is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice
Southport will become a sea of yellow this Friday (8th May 2026) as supporters of the charity take part in a fun 10k walk that starts and ends at Adventure Coast Southport.
In April, Queenscourt Hospice announced that it will be reducing its in-patient ward from ten to five beds, as it continues to face financial uncertainty.
The news comes just four weeks after the hospice stated that it was being forced to consider reducing the vital services it provides for patients, as it continues to operate with a £2 million deficit.
The need for people to come out and support Queenscourt’s fundraising efforts is greater than ever, as our hospice marks 35 years since it was officially opened by Princess Diana in 1991.
Since Star Trekk began 20 years ago, wonderful trekkers have raised over £1million.
The evening starts at Adventure Coast Southport with a fun party atmosphere where you can enjoy the pre Trekk entertainment, with the walk starting at 7.30pm.
People then head out along Marine Drive, over the Marine Way Bridge, past Silcock’s Funland, down Nevill Street and onto Lord Street, up Eastbank Street and Scarisbrick New Road, past Queenscourt Hospice on Town Lane, through Birkdale Village and then back to the start to collect their medals.
There is a different coloured Star Trekk shirt each walk, with yellow the colour for this year.
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