On Saturday 12th July, as Telford’s clocks strike midnight, 200 women will line up at The Junction’s Forge Retail Park in Telford to start a sponsored walk in aid of the local hospice. The ladies will take a 10 mile tour of Telford coming full circle back to the Retail Park’s finish line.

The Midnight Walk is taking place for the first time this year and provides a major fundraising opportunity for local charity, Severn Hospice that cares for people with progressive and life-limiting illnesses in Telford, Shropshire and Mid Wales. The hospice was set up in 1989 to offer high standards of nursing and medical care for its patients, trying always to sustain quality of life and relief from pain. Since its doors opened it has provided respite and medical assistance to 12,000 individuals, not to mention the emotional care and counselling it has provided to their families, friends and carers.

The walk around Telford aims to raise approximately £10,000 towards the £5 million required to run the hospice each year, two thirds of which is dependent on donations and public support at events like this.

Lois Williams, Responsible Business Manager at The Junction, said: “We are pleased to be able to host an event for such a respected local cause. We hope it will raise public awareness of the amazing work that is carried out at the Severn Hospice and we wish all the participants lots of luck”.

Lucy Proctor, Fundraising Manager for the Severn Hospice commented: “We are really looking forward to the event and hope it will raise considerable funds to allow us to help many more people at their time of need. The interest in taking part in the Midnight Walk was substantial and, in response to this, we hope to repeat the event next year. We are delighted that The Junction is able to provide a central point fo rus to set up for the night, and thank them for their co-operation.”

For more information about the charity or to pledge support for the walkers, please visit the Severn Hospice’s website at www.severnhospice.org.uk