Women set record for Midnight Walk

Hundreds of women raised tens of thousands of pounds for a Shropshire charity after stepping out for a late-night stroll.

Five hundred women took part in Severn Hospice's Midnight Walk in Telford on Saturday night.

The women helped raise about £40,000 for the charity by completing a 10km circular route, which started at Telford College of Arts and Technology in Wellington at midnight.

Event organisers hailed the walk a huge success after it attracted a record number of participants.

About 75 men gave up their evening to volunteer as marshals, lining the route to keep the walkers safe. The course went through Wellington, Admaston, Shawbirch and Apley before returning to TCAT.

BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Jim Hawkins, who volunteers at the Hospice, got the walk under way after participants took part in a brief warm-up session.

Sarah Hawthorne, fundraising events organiser at Severn Hospice, said: "We would like to say well done and thank you to all those who took part in this year's Midnight Walk. Each year the Hospice relies on the generosity of the public to help raise around £6million to cover running costs and events like our Midnight Walk contribute towards this target.

"The walkers have raised a huge sum of money which will help us continue providing vital care and support to local patients and their loved ones who are living with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer."

Organisers have now increased by 200 the number of places available at the Midnight Walk in Shrewsbury on July 3.

By Lisa Rowley