Hospice calls on ladies to take part in midnight walk

Some of the ladies who took part in the Springhill Hospice Midnight Walk in 2010

Springhill Hospice is calling on ladies from across the borough and beyond to take part in its fifth midnight walk, to help raise much needed funds.

The walk, supported by Link4Life and HSBC, is a 6 or 13-mile fully marshaled sponsored walk commencing from Middleton Arena on the stroke of midnight on Saturday 9 July 2010.

Organisers are hoping that the event will raise enough money to cover one week’s running costs at the Hospice, which currently stand at around £52,000.

The full route takes walkers through Middleton, Rhodes, Bowlee, Hopwood, Heywood, (with a halfway stop at Heywood Civic Centre), Sudden, Castleton, Slattocks returning via Middleton Town Centre to the Arena.

Participants walking the shorter route finish at Heywood Civic Centre where a shuttle service returns them to Middleton Arena.

Over the last four 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, said: “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.

“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.”

Entry for the event is just £12 and all participants will receive a unique Midnight Walk t-shirt, medal, post-walk refreshments and a Certificate of Achievement.

Anybody wishing to participate in the Midnight Walk can register online at http://bit.ly/sprimw11 or collect a registration form from Springhill Hospice, Broad Lane, Rochdale OL16 4PZ. Closing date for registration is Friday 1st July 2011

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!

For further information, the Hospice Fundraising Office can be contacted by telephone on 01706 649920 or by email at fundraising@springhillhospice.nhs.uk