Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Ladies taking a walk at midnight

22/ 5/2008

SUPPORTERS of Springhill Hospice will be burning the midnight oil on Saturday 19 July when the second Midnight Walk takes place.

The organisers are hoping to repeat last year’s success and once again the walk ties in with Middleton Round Table MiddFest.

Sponsored by Jonathan Swire Estate Agents, it is supported by Rochdale Council and UK Fitness Academy.

The 13-mile route will be fully marshalled and will commence from Middleton Leisure Centre on the stroke of midnight.

From there, the walkers will head towards Rhodes, Bowlee, Hopwood and Heywood (with a halfway point at Springfield Park), then go on to Sudden, Castleton and Slattocks before returning to Middleton.

Last year, the same venture by 193 ladies raised a massive £23,000 – the biggest ever singular fundraiser in the hospice’s 25 years’ history.

Ian Jenkins, Springhill Hospice fundraising manager, said: "The feedback we received was very positive and at no time did anyone feel at risk, despite being out in the middle of the night.

"There was a party spirit all the way round and by the time they returned, just before 5am, one or two ladies had enjoyed it so much they were ready to go out and do it all again!"

To assist with this year’s operation, the hospice is asking for men to get involved as stewards and volunteers – so if partners, boyfriends or male relatives want to get involved the organisers would like to hear from them.

Anyone wishing to participate in the walk itself can obtain a registration form from the fundraising office at 427 Oldham Road (telephone 711144), or download one from www.springhill.org.uk and follow the links.

Mr Jenkins added: "We are hoping to raise enough money to at least cover one week’s costs of running the hospice – around £46,000 – and are asking the ladies of the borough to help us achieve this target."

On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June is the Hospice Charity Shield five-a-side football tournament at Soccer Village, Wildhouse Lane, Milnrow, from noon.