THIS Father’s Day, one person will be on every member of the Mooney family’s mind.

For Michael Mooney, June 21 marks the first Father’s Day he has spent without his dad.

Terry Mooney died in Bolton Hospice on October 8 last year at the age of 79, after battling Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Determined to remember and celebrate Terry’s memory, on June 20 45-year-old Michael and his children Alex, aged 10 and eight-year-old Isabel will take part in the hospice’s Midnight Memories Walk.

This year, the first walkers will set off from the town hall at 10pm after hospice bosses decided an earlier start time would be more family-friendly.

Michael’s wife Nicola, who has worked for Bolton Hospice’s fundraising department for more than 15 years, will cheer on her husband and children from the walk’s halfway point.

Mrs Mooney, of Sandalwood, Westhoughton, said: “I knew when Terry was admitted to the hospice in September 2014 that he would receive the best possible care.

“When Terry was in hospital, the children weren’t able to visit their Grandad so it made such a difference that when he was moved to the hospice they could visit him anytime.

“The nurses were fantastic with Terry and we are so grateful for all the care and support given. It was something money could not buy, and the hospice was where Terry wanted to come.”

Terry, who was born in Bury but lived in Little Lever for many years, had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January 2014.

Mrs Mooney, aged 42, added: “Now in its ninth year, the Midnight Memories Walk is the biggest fundraising event in Bolton and I have been proud to be part of the team on the night nearly every year.

“The children are excited to be a part of the night with their dad and are keen to raise as much sponsorship as they can to say thank you to the hospice for all the care their Grandad received.”

This year will mark the hospice’s ninth annual midnight walk. The eight mile sponsored event has raised more than £1 million since it was first staged.

All participants will be able to buy an LED wristbands, which will be programmed to illuminate at midnight to create a “magical moment” in tribute to lost loved ones.

Bolton Hospice has to raise £2.8 million each year to care for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses in the hospice and at home.

To register for the Midnight Memories Walk: go to boltonhospice.org.uk/mmw or call the events team on 01204 663055 extension three.