Pendleside Hospice’s Midnight Walk launched today!

To celebrate the launch of the event and to coincide with Valentine’s weekend, male hospice volunteers will be dressed in tuxedos handing out pink roses and chocolates to lady shoppers.

The Hospice Midnight Walk is a women-only event taking place on Saturday, July 2nd. Starting and ending at Burnley Football Club, the eight-mile walk takes in areas of both Burnley and Pendle with Wavelengths at Nelson being the half way point.

This will be the third year of the walk, which has Alderson and Horan Funeral Services and Charter Walk Shopping Centre as its main sponsors.

Previous years have seen in excess of 2,000 women taking part and raising around £250,000 of much needed funds for the hospice.

Hospice fund-raising manager Mrs Kaye Bartle said: “The Midnight Walk is a fantastic event, not only for the amount of much-needed funds it raises but also as a fun event to bring together women of all ages to enjoy an unusual fun night out.”

This year the hospice has introduced some new elements to the event. Any female over the age of 11 can now take part as long as under-16s are accompanied by an adult also registered on the walk.

There is also the option to do the traditional eight-mile route or a shorter five-mile route, which avoids the hill approaching Marsden Cross and as well as the offer of a bacon butty or vegetarian alternative at the end of the walk there is also the option to choose fruit salad.

Registration to take part costs £10 and every walker receives a T-shirt, refreshments and entertainment on the night and on completion of the walk, a medal and certificate.

Anyone registering at the launch will be entered into a draw to win an iPod donated by Charter Walk Shopping Centre. Anyone unable to register today can do so online at www.pendleside.org.uk or by telephoning the hospice on 440120.