St John’s Hospice’s longest-serving volunteer is preparing to lace up her walking shoes once again to raise funds for the hospice that has been at the heart of her life for more than three decades.
Elizabeth Taylor (72), from Armthorpe, will take on a sponsored three-mile walk on Thursday 3 September, retracing the route she first walked more than 35 years ago as part of the campaign to help build St John’s Hospice.
Setting off from the Mansion House in Doncaster city centre, Elizabeth will walk along Priory Place, Cleveland Street and Balby Road before finishing at St John’s Information and Support Centre on Weston Road.
Elizabeth first completed the walk as a member of the Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust (DCDT), which led the fundraising campaign to establish the hospice. The campaign raised more than £2,000,000 over seven years, helping St John’s Hospice open its doors in 1992.
Now, by making the walk an annual tradition, Elizabeth is continuing to raise funds to help ensure the hospice can provide compassionate care and support for local patients and their families.
Elizabeth said:
“I’ve never forgotten the incredible support the people of Doncaster gave to make the Hospice a reality, and that’s why I enjoy doing this walk every year.
“It’s my way of giving something back to a place that means so much to so many people.”
As well as being St John’s Hospice’s longest-serving volunteer, Elizabeth has dedicated countless hours to supporting fundraising events and activities over the years, helping the charity continue its work.
Neil Firbank, Fundraising Co-ordinator for the Hospice, said:
“Elizabeth is an inspiration. Her dedication and commitment to St John’s Hospice over so many years is extraordinary, and we’re incredibly grateful that she continues to champion the hospice through her annual walk.
“Every pound she raises will help us continue providing specialist care and support for patients and families when they need it most.”
St John’s Hospice relies on charitable donations to fund around 20% of its running costs, meaning it needs to raise more than £680,000 every year to continue providing its specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
Published: August 04, 2026