The five girls, aged 9, from Basildon took part in the Havens Hospices Glow Walk last year, raising over £1,500. This year, not all of them can make the event in September, so they decided to arrange their own ‘Teddy Glow Walk’, taking their favourite cuddly toys over Hadleigh Country Park. They danced and sang their way around the route, finishing at Hadleigh Castle just before sunset.
Evie-Mae Belcher was diagnosed with a rare progressive illness aged just two years old. She was cared for by Little Havens throughout her life, before passing away, aged 10, in January 2023. The hospice provided respite breaks, activities and emotional support for the whole family.
Evie’s younger sister, Mila Nudds, led the sponsored walk, accompanied by her brother George, 3, and four of her schoolfriends.
So far, ‘Team Evie’ has raised more than £800 through their JustGiving page – https://www.justgiving.com/page/remembering-evie
Little Havens provides expert, compassionate care and support for babies, children and young people living with complex or incurable conditions in Essex. The care is completely free of charge and is only possible because of voluntary support from the local community through donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and items bought through its charity shops.
The official Havens Hospices Glow Walk is taking place on 19th September, starting at Little Havens in Benfleet. There is a ‘Pay Day Sale’ on entries till 6th August. For more information, please visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/glow
Published 3rd August 2026
