ONCE every year Horwich grandmother Anna Honywill would sit outside her home until the early hours of the morning and welcome thousands of people passing her street.

The grandmother was a proud supporter of the Midnight Memories Walk and now her twin granddaughters Charlotte and Annabelle Ashworth, aged 20, from Halliwell, will be taking part.

Charlotte said: “My granny died earlier this year and although she didn’t die in the hospice, the hospice was very close to her heart and she supported the Midnight Memories Walk in her own unique way every single year since the walk started in 2007.

“She got wrapped up in her warm coat, took her blanket, chair, flask and butties and she got herself comfortable at the top of Chorley New Road in her chair at the turn around point.

“A lot of the walkers would have seen her and got to know her over the years as she was continually shouting “good luck, keep going, you can do it, not far to go” and so on.

“She was there for the lead walkers passing and was still there after the last walker passed. Sadly she won’t be there this year and I know she’ll be missed. My sister and I both feel proud and sad at the same time. My granny’s commitment to always be there to spur on the walkers was amazing.

“Walking past that turn around point this year will be very emotional for us both, though we will do it and we plan to raise lots of money for the hospice which will make our granny very proud of us.”

Participants will set off on the 2017 walk from Victoria Square at 10pm on Saturday.