HUNDREDS of men, women and children strode out and pledged £130,000 for Bolton Hospice in the biggest Midnight Memories Walk yet.

More than 1,500 people – 500 more than last year – took part in the eight-mile challenge in aid of Bolton Hospice.

Walkers set off from the starting line in Victoria Square at 10pm on Saturday, with the first walkers returning to the square by midnight.

This year marked the ninth annual Midnight Memories Walk – with the event having raised more than £2 million for Bolton Hospice since it was first staged.

It was the first time the walk had begun at the earlier time of 10pm in a bid to encourage more families to take part.

Five colleagues from Bolton Lock Company, based in Westhoughton, decided to take on the challenge together.

None of them had taken part in the Midnight Memories Walk before but Emma Greeley, aged 27, from Atherton, 43—year-old Eileen Bacon and Debra O’connor, aged 46, both from Westhoughton, and Deleen Wilkinson, aged 36, and 38-year-old Cathy Pendlebury, both from Hindley, were determined to do what they could for Bolton Hospice.

Emma said: “I think the hospice is fantastic. It is really important that people always have access to this kind of care when they need it.”

Cathy added: “We are walking for loved ones, friends and relatives. If you can give something back to this place, which has provided help to so many people who are suffering, then that is a great thing.”

Debra said: “It is always good to help local charities – they are always there for us.”

Walkers left Victoria Square and travelled up Chorley New Road to the Beehive roundabout before coming back to Bolton town centre.

Some walkers purchased special LED wristbands which illuminated at midnight in a moving tribute to lost loved ones.

The memory of Brian Ormrod was very much alive for his widow Carole Ormrod, aged 61, and 36-year-old daughter Joanne Hacking.

The pair, both from Hall i’th’ Wood, had taken part in the Midnight Memories Walk before but dedicated this year’s event to Brian, who died on April 9 this year after suffering from cancer.

Carole said: “The hospice is an amazing place. Brian did not go there but I have had friends who did, and the care they got was absolutely superb.

“We have done the walk before and it has always been a great atmosphere. This year it will be especially poignant for us because of Brian.”

Joanne added: “We are hoping to raise about £100 each to help the hospice – it is such an important cause.”

Guest of honour at the event was Westhoughton-born actor Maxine Peake, whose mother Glenys died in Bolton Hospice in 2008, at the age of 66, after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Maxine said: “My mum died in Bolton Hospice seven years ago after spending her last days there.

“I am so grateful to the staff – they were just amazing and let me stay with her.

“Bolton Hospice should be a facility that everyone who is going through that can have access to.

“My mum was very lucky – really, you cannot put a price on what they provide.”

Maxine added: “I was really honoured when the hospice asked if I would get involved.

“They hold fantastic events for the whole community to get involved with. Everybody has been touched by cancer in some way, or knows someone who has been.”

For Horwich colleagues Sheila Biggins, aged 48, and 41-year-old Jade Fielding, the respect the hospice has from the Bolton community was clear.

The friends, who both work for Bolton West Royal Mail, were given £300 in sponsorship by colleagues in just half an hour after signing up to take part.

Jade said: “The fact we were given so many donations so quickly shows how much the hospice means to people.”

Sheila said: “My dad died in a hospice, and I believe they are better than hospitals for end of life care.

“Patients get a better quality of life there – it is peaceful, and the staff and the care they provide is fantastic.”

The Little Lever Sports Club rounders team swapped bats and balls for trainers and deely-boppers to take on the walk together.

Barbara Goulding, from Little Lever, was set to complete her fourth Midnight Memories Walk.

The 59-year-old said: “My dad died five years ago and he spent the end of his life at the hospice.

“Both the care they gave him and the help they gave to us as his family was just totally amazing.

“You do not realise how much you need somewhere like Bolton Hospice until the time comes when it happens to you.”

Friends Joanne Gallop, aged 30, and 24-year-old Kirsty Green had never completed the walk before – and admitted they hadn’t undertaken any training but hoped they would be ‘alright on the night’.

Joanne, from Breightmet, said: “Cancer is a cause close to my heart because my gran had eye cancer, my aunty had breast cancer and a friend had bladder cancer.”

Kirsty, from Great Lever, added: “As the walk gets going I think it will be very emotional. Everyone will have someone they are thinking of.”

Maria Passarello, events manager at Bolton Hospice, said: “We are so proud and thankful for every walker, every volunteer, every sponsor and supporter of our ninth Midnight Memories Walk.

“Our earlier start time of 10pm proved to be a success and we had more than 1,500 people join us on the night.

“Men, women and children came together to walk in memory of loved ones and support the work of the hospice by raising vital funds.

“We are thrilled that £130,000 was pledged on the night – this figure exceeds our target and it is all thanks to our supporters.

“The atmosphere on the night was uplifting and heart-warming with so many well wishes for our hospice.

“To everyone who took part – you certainly made this a memorable, meaningful and magical evening.”

See all our pictures from the event here.