SCHOOL staff will swap the classroom for the streets of Bolton in aid of the town’s hospice.

Support staff from Little Lever School have signed up for this year’s Midnight Memories Walk — now they are urging others to get involved.

Mandy Ogden, a learning mentor, said: “It was my idea because I know someone who died at the hospice and this is my way of giving something back.

“I asked my colleagues if they wanted to join me and they all knew someone affected by a life-threatening condition or who has died so wanted to get involved.

“We thought it would be nice to do it as a group and it’s doing something positive for the community.

“I think Bolton Hospice does brilliant work and the staff are really good, they support people and their families.

“We are going to raise as much as we can for them.”

The hospice cares for people with life-threatening conditions and their families and the Midnight Memories Walk is its biggest fundraiser.

It is hoped 2,000 people will take part in the women-only event this year, which takes place on Saturday, June 13.

They will walk from the town centre to the Beehive roundabout in Horwich and back, setting off at midnight.

Last year more than 1,500 women signed up, raising more than £189,000.

Miss Ogden, aged 33, of Astley Bridge, will be joined by around half a dozen learning mentors and a special needs assistant on the night.

Maria Passarello, events co-ordinator at the hospice, said: “This year we are hoping to make this our biggest ever walk and are hoping for 2,000 ladies to take part. We are nearly there with 1,850 already registered. A bottle of pink champagne will be given to the 2,000th person to apply.”

To register for the third Midnight Memories Walk, contact 01204 663055, visit boltonhospice.org.uk or text WALK to 67766.

The hospice is also looking for marshalls to take on a variety of roles on the night. Contact the above number for an application form.