Crier silenced by a hug

Mar 24 2008 by The Journal

LOVE was in the air in Northumberland over the weekend as around 150 people braved the snow to take part in two huge hugs.
 
The displays of affection were organised by the North Northumberland Hospice to publicise its change of name – to Hospice Care North Northumberland – and logo.

Flash mobs – as they are also known – have taken place in many British cities but it is thought this was the first to be held in north Northumberland.

The idea behind the events at Alnwick and Berwick was that a  hug  is the simplest form of care a hospice can show.

Organisers invited people who have been involved with the hospice as patients and carers since it was formed in 1995, and also their friends, relatives and neighbours.

At 11am on the dot, around 100 people took part in a two-minute  hug  in Alnwick Market Place and exactly three hours later, approximately 50 came together in Berwick town centre for the same length of time.

Most donned hospice T-shirts although a few had extra layers of clothing on underneath.

At Alnwick, town crier John Stevens joined in as did passers-by and some of the Saturday market stallholders – who had been startled by what was going on. And at Berwick, where the temperature was said to have reached minus four, there were even a few dogs kitted out in hospice T-shirts.

Hospice fundraiser Nikki Wilkinson said yesterday: “We were really grateful to everyone who turned out, who showed great commitment to come out despite the weather.

“It was something very different for a hospice, it got people to stop and look and wonder what it was all about.

“It definitely raised awareness of
the fact there is a hospice in Alnwick and Berwick. It raised awareness to the fact that we have changed our name.” Since 1995, the North Northumberland Hospice has provided care and support to local people with life-threatening illnesses.

It now helps more than 200 people each year.

The hospice also gives help and support to families, friends and carers.

Patients visit day hospices in Alnwick and Berwick, or receive outreach care at home. The charity also offers a range of complementary therapies, counselling, bereavement support, lymphoedema clinics and carer support services.