Midnight Memories Walk charity triumph
8:38am Monday 16th June 2008 in News By Cherry Thomas
Cancer patient Donna McLaughin, from Horwich, with her daughter Jodie, who finished first
A PINK army of women wearing flashing bunny ears snaked its way through Bolton in the dead of night.
At the stroke of midnight, the 1,700 walkers set off from Victoria Square to tackle the eight-mile Midnight Memories Walk in aid of Bolton Hospice.
Amid the cheering and toots from passing cars, the women all had a serious mission - to remember their lost loved ones and raise money for the hospice.
The costumes ranged from the bizarre to the amazing, with women dressed in pyjamas and dressing gowns, tutus, as angels and cowgirls, with outrageous wigs.
But there was one theme - pink!
Many walkers wore touching messages on their back with the names of loved ones in whose memory they were walking.
The warm-up began hours before, with the women taking over Victoria Square. There were grandmothers, granddaughters and even pet dogs.
During the build-up to the off, there was an electric atmosphere as Tower FM's roadshow provided the music, prompting dancing among the women. Fire jugglers performed and there were warm-up exercises to help prevent pulled muscles.
The sea of pink and lights set off on the stroke on midnight when former Coronation Street star, Casey-Lee Jolley started the walk.
As they headed through the town centre to Chorley New Road, spirits were high. Passing drivers pipped their horns and shouted encouragement.
Staff and patients gathered outside the hospice in Queens Park Street to wave at the walkers and they held a banner thanking them.
After a pit-stop for water and a banana, they were almost at the halfway stage. As they crossed the road near the Beehive roundabout, they started the home stretch - looking forward to a cuppa and a bacon buttie back at the Town Hall.
It is the second time the event has been staged and everyone had a good reason for taking part.
Cancer patient Donna McLaughlin, aged 40, and her daughter, Jodie, aged 10, were the first people back to Victoria Square at around 1.45am.
She said: "I am terminally ill with secondary breast cancer affecting my bones and lungs. I wanted to do something to give my daughter a really strong memory of me. It feels brilliant to be the first back."
Sue Taylor, aged 60, of Mendip Drive, Breightmet, said: "I did it first of all for me, as I have breast cancer and use the hospice's day unit, and also for my niece, Elaine Farrelly, who died of breast cancer last year.
"It was an excellent experience and I'm pleased I've achieved it."
Emma Horsley, aged 23, of Wren Close, Farnworth, said: "I did it for my granddad, Derek Bradley, who is going into Bolton Hospice because he has liver cancer.
"There was a really good atmosphere and it feels good to have done it."
The last walkers arrived back at about 3.35am.
Every participant received a medal and certificate from the Bolton News when they reached the town hall.
It is hoped the total raised by this year's walk will reach more than £200,000.
Debra Graham, Bolton Hospice director of fundraising, said: "The people of Bolton have done us proud again.
"The money pledged in sponsorship totals £177,000, but that is without Gift Aid and other donations, so we are really hoping to reach £200,000.
"A big thank you' to everyone for making it a truly memorable evening. It was a fantastic event and we look forward to next year."
