THE Midnight Memories event has become one of the biggest and most emotional events on Bolton’s ever-expanding fundraising calendar.

On Saturday night an incredible 2,000 women took part in the walk, raising an estimated £194,000 for Bolton Hospice.

Obviously, the fundraising is the main reason behind the staging of this annual event, which is vitally important in enabling the continuation of the fantastic work carried out by the hospice — something recognised by the whole town.

Secondly, the walk is an amazing community event which brings together thousands of people, united by one cause, with many donning bright pink costumes and wigs for the occasion.

It is a serious event held in aid of a serious cause but, at midnight on Saturday, Bolton showed it could still have fun at the same time.

The vital thing now is that everyone makes sure they collect their sponsorship money and forwards it to the organisers as quickly as possible.

The hospice’s director of fundraising, Debra Graham, is correct when she says: “The walk really brings the community together. We’re so proud of all the walkers. We hope to see them again next year.”

The parade of walkers gathered in the town centre and walked along Chorley New Road, past the hospice, to the Beehive roundabout and back. Everyone who took part received a medal, a goody bag and a well deserved bacon sandwich at the end.

No doubt many of them have emotional stories to tell about friends and family who have used the hospice and the occasion will certainly have brought back memories for a lot of people.

This year’s event again looks like being a massive success and the organisers and all those who took part can be proud of themselves.

Let us hope the hospice hits its fundraising target and next year’s Midnight Memories walk is just as successful.