News

Midnight Walk 2009 - What a night!

06 July 2009

The moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived when the clock struck midnight on Saturday 6th June when 1,500 ladies started their walk through Colchester in aid of St Helena Hospice. The ladies came along dressed in their Midnight Walk t-shirts and some even wore very creative and fun fancy dress costumes which were then finished off with a pair of flashing bunny ears.

The atmosphere on the night was amazing. Stewards and volunteers along the route gave the walkers lots of support and encouragement and passers by even stopped to wave, clap and cheer the ladies on.

The Midnight Walk started and finished at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the home of Colchester United and walkers followed a circular route of 12km (7.5 miles). The route went along Severalls Lane, down Ipswich Road, along Cowdray Avenue past North Station and up Mill Road back towards the Weston Homes Community Stadium where each walker then crossed the finish line and collected their well deserved medal and goody bag.

Chris Hill, Fundraising and Marketing Director, St Helena Hospice said:
“It was simply brilliant to see all the participants at the start line on Saturday 6th June and we want to thank everyone for making it a truly fun and exciting night. We had an incredible £144,244.46 pledged in sponsorship on the night and every penny of this will go to the Hospice to support the work we do so we really do appreciate everyone’s hard work.

“I would like to say a special thank you to our event supporters: Colchester United, Hatfields of Colchester, the Colchester Gazette, Pyramid Recruitment Services Ltd, Water Direct, The Essex Golf & Country Club and Anglia Crown for all their support and enthusiasm for the Midnight Walk as without it we would not have been able to put together such an incredible night for all our wonderful participants.”

Robert London, Marketing and Merchandise Director, Hatfields said:
"Hatfields were very proud to be able to sponsor St Helena Hospice’s first Midnight Walk and are thrilled to hear of the fantastic amount of money raised. It was stunning to see the crowds of walkers on the night and great that I was able to wave my Hatfields team off at the start line. We are privileged to be associated with St Helena Hospice as our chosen charity and hope that the Midnight Walk continues to be as wonderful a success each year to come."

Matt Hudson, Media Manager, Colchester United Football Club said:
“Colchester United are delighted to have been a partner for this excellent event. We are extremely proud to have been involved in this project and were delighted to hear how much money has been raised for such a worthy cause.

“It was fantastic to see the local community come together at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and a privilege to help our friends from St Helena Hospice.”

For more information about the 2009 Midnight Walk or to put your name down to be one of the first to hear about the plans for the 2010 event, please email the Midnight Walk team at midnightwalk@sthelenahospice.org.uk