Sue Devaney joins Midnight Walk

Sue Devaney

Rochdale’s star of Dinnerladies and Casualty, Sue Devaney, has pledged her support to the fourth ladies-only Springhill Hospice Midnight Walk.

Sue has signed up for the event which commences on the stroke of midnight on Saturday 17 July.

The full 13-mile route takes walkers through Middleton, Rhodes, Bowlee, Hopwood, Heywood (with a halfway stop at Heywood Civic Centre), Sudden, Castleton and Slattocks returning via Middleton Town Centre to the Middleton Arena. Participants walking the shorter 6-mile route finish at Heywood Civic Centre, where a minibus returns them to Arena.

Entry fee for the event is just £10.00 and all participants will receive a unique Midnight Walk t-shirt, medal, refreshments and a Certificate of Achievement.

Over the last three years the event has established itself as the biggest single fundraising event organised by the Hospice, which provides vital care for people living with life-limiting illnesses across the Rochdale Borough as well as in parts of Oldham, North Manchester and the Rossendale Valley.

Ian Jenkins, Fundraising Manager at Springhill Hospice, says: “One of the issues we have to consider for this event is the safety of the ladies as they walk the route through the middle of the night. I’m delighted to be able to say that we have always received great feedback from the participants and we advise them to walk in groups and we always provide plenty of both static and mobile marshals all along the route to give encouragement and support.

“The Police and St John’s Ambulance also attend and the atmosphere has always been one of good fun, great banter and the knowledge that it’s all for a great cause. This year has seen our biggest take-up yet with over 500 participants expected on the night – it should be a fabulous event.”
Organisers are hoping that this event will raise enough money to at least cover one week’s running costs of the Hospice, which currently stand at around £52,000.

To assist with the operation of this event, Springhill Hospice are also looking for men to get involved as stewards and volunteers – so if husbands, boyfriends or male relatives would like to help out, the organisers would be delighted to hear from you too.

Anybody wishing to participate or help out can contact the Fundraising team on 01706 649920.