Midnight Walk Success

07 September 2010

Girls Night Out.....with a difference!
Saturday 4th September 2010

This year’s Midnight Walk saw 900 walkers bring the streets of Basingstoke alive with flashing bunny ears and lots of fancy dress costumes!  The atmosphere was electric and the bunny ears a phenomenal sight as local ladies and (a few) men all walked to support a cause close to their hearts!

The evening started off with a warm up session, full of fun and laughter, as Craig Heggie from the Basingstoke Gym got all the walkers ready to set off.   The Mayor Keith Chapman started the walk after a few encouraging words and a minutes silence to remember loved ones that are no longer with us.

A huge thank you to the volunteers that helped out with all the jobs on the night from registering, marshalling, selling the flashing bunny ears, handing out water and banana’s and most of all encouraging the walkers on the route.  All of this help was extremely important and valuable to ensure the safety of walkers on the night.

Very big thanks to Festival Place for their support in the run up to and on the night, the Rotary Club of Basingstoke & Deane who cooked the welcome back celebration breakfast for over 900 walkers and to BHS Canteen for the use of the cooking facilities.                                                                           

A special thanks to all the generous companies that donated and supported the event, including Sainsbury Depot for the water, the Rotary Club of Basingstoke & Deane for rolls and croissants, Butchers for the sausages and bacon, Tiger Retail, Boots, Debenhams and Lush for the goodie bags, Fyffe’s for over 900 Banana’s and MARS Drinks for supplying the ladies with hot drinks enroute.

The total amount pledged on the night is not yet confirmed but with all the sponsorship forms and monies handed in we hope the final calculation will be about £90,000 for this amazing Midnight Walk.
 
Pat Darty, Events Coordinator said “The Fundraising team have been overwhelmed with the number of participants this year and the help and support from everyone involved in the event means an outstanding amount has been raised which goes towards caring for patients and supporting their families and carers.  A massive thanks to Tony Hiscock whose support and advice has been invaluable in putting the route together while making this event a great success, Tony led the walkers at the start line and his brother and wife Terry and Jeanne swept up all the walkers from the back, everyone was then welcomed back with a breakfast and refreshment courtesy of the Rotary team.  Thanks and well done to everyone involved!”

By popular demand we have opened registration for Midnight Walk 2011!  If you are interested in signing up at 2010 prices then log-on to www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/events.