At midnight on Saturday the 17th June, over three hundred local women came together to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice care in this years carnival themed Midnight Walk.

Dorothy House provides end of life and palliative care to those in the community providing patients and their families with the support they need, when it is needed the most.

Prticipants were greeted at Bath Pavilion for a night to remember, starting with a glass of prosecco on arrival sponsored by the Great Wine Co. and served in a bright pink biodegradable champagne flute! There was music provided by Bath Rock Choir, a rousing speech from two of the hospices trustees, who also walked to raise funds. Fitness phenomenon Cheryl Sprinkler led the crowd through her classic ‘Mojo Moves’ to get everyone pumped and ready to take on the late-night 5K.

Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Mulberry, EmmyLondon and Bowood and the total raised from the raffle alone exceeded £1,000 on the night. The final figure raised through sponsorship monies and donations is yet to be announced but the event has already raised over £40,000.

There was glitter galore as the women took to the streets of Bath in style, with 50 members of Bath Rock Choir singing ‘go your own way’ as participants were waved off. Everyone was dressed in their own interpretation of the theme with many having decorated their T Shirts with who they were walking for. There was also a special memory wall of feathers each decorated in memory of a loved one displayed on the evening.

Kate Bullman walked in memory of her Mum Patti who was cared for by Dorothy House. Kate says:

‘’The support that Dorothy House gave to us as a family was incredible and something I had no real understanding of the value of until I met them. From family counselling to their honest and caring advice in the days before her death, they were true angels on earth. I am certain that without our dedicated nurse we would not have had the confidence to make the critical and timely decisions we did, which enabled Mummy to die at home, with us, which is what she had wished for. For that I will be forever grateful to this amazing charity.”

An army of over sixty five Dorothy House volunteers lined the streets to cheer on the walkers and provide support along the way. Tracey Smith who has been volunteering with Dorothy House for a number of years, said: ‘’ Volunteering at the Dorothy House Midnight Walk is a wonderful experience; the atmosphere is amazing and the Bath Rock Choir made it even better…. they were phenomenal. I find it incredibly rewarding to know that I’m part of the Fundraising Team and am helping this brilliant charity to continue to care for more people in need.’’

Every woman who took part helped raise much-needed funds to allow Dorothy House to continue to provide their free and compassionate service. Clare Way, Community and Events Fundraiser at Dorothy House said,

“It is amazing that the Midnight Walkers have raised over £40,000 so far for the Hospice. We are really pleased and grateful to everyone who took part in this event. Thank you to everyone who walked, volunteered or contributed towards making it such a huge success.”