St Leonard’s Hospice supporters turned out in force between midnight on Saturday, June 18 and dawn on Sunday to take part in the Hospice’s fourth annual Midnight Walk.

Despite the drizzle, almost 550 people – a record – followed the six-mile route in the short hours of darkness, along pavements and cycle paths around the centre of York. There was a great atmosphere, everyone had a really good time – and they raised funds for our work at the same time. Sponsorship money is just starting to come in, but we hope at least to equal last year’s record £30,000. We are very grateful to them all; we know how hard it is to leave your beds to walk through the city in the dark of the night.

And if you sponsored rather than walked – thank you, too; maybe we’ll see you walking next year.

Thank you, also, to all our volunteers and stewards who did a brilliant job.

York College again hosted the start and finish. Countrywide Water Coolers, Ged Bell Butchers of Dringhouses, J H Piercey’s Pork Butchers of Huby, M&K Butchers of Bishopthorpe Road, Richardsons Butchers of Woodthorpe, Tesco at Clifton Moor and Askham Bar, Sainsbury’s at Foss Bank, Nestlé and Miller Food Services all helped to keep the walkers fed and watered. And Fanfare Brass played brilliantly to entertain the walkers.

Janet Morley, Director of Fundraising, St Leonard’s Hospice, Tadcaster Road, York.

THROUGH your pages I wish to thank all my sponsors for helping me raise more than £500 for St Leonard’s Hospice and to thank all staff and marshals for making the midnight walk safe and enjoyable.

Mrs D Ankers, Brunswick Street, York.