Five hundred children and adults took part in Haven House Children’s Hospice’s biggest ever Pumpkin Plod on Sunday 23 October.

The event was sponsored by The Woodford restaurant and involved scores of families wearing orange and dressing as pumpkins in a series of sponsored walks for Haven House in Woodford Green.

The warm-up for the Pumpkin Plod started at 2pm and involved an energetic dance routine by local personal trainer Zamira Kate Mummery.

There was an option of a 2 or 5k walk through Epping Forest for plodders with both routes starting and finishing in Haven House’s grounds.

Marshalls lined the routes and this year provided added excitement for children with gunge tanks filled with tricks and treats.

Haven House’s Henry the Hound was at the front to lead both walks up the hospice’s drive and into the forest.

On returning to Haven House every plodder received a medal and pumpkin. A barbeque meant there was plenty of hot food to fill hungry stomachs.

Bailey’s hot chocolate for adults and other refreshments were on sale in the grounds throughout the afternoon, along with face painting and a bouncy castle for children.

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive of Haven House, said: “This year’s Pumpkin Plod has exceeded all of our expectations with a record number of plodders raising funds for local life-limited children and their families.

“To have five times as many plodders compared to last year is a fantastic achievement and shows we are reaching a wider audience with our events.

“We could not have put on the Pumpkin Plod without our volunteers and the support of so many people in our community. “I would particularly like to thank our sponsors The Woodford restaurant and all other supporters for their generosity.”

If you enjoyed our Pumpkin Plod why not sign up for the Haven House Firewalk and fireworks display at Woodford Rugby Club on Friday 4 November?

To find out more please visit our Firewalk page.