AT the stroke of midnight on Saturday most people were cosily tucked up in bed or enjoying a night out at the pub but the fate of more than 1,200 women, myself included, was to be different.

We were setting off on a 13.1mile walk from Nantwich to Crewe clutching bottles of water, energy snacks, well, chocolate, and praying that our walking socks really would protect our feet from blisters.

Our exertions were all part of St Luke's Cheshire Hospice's third Midnight Walk to raise money for the Winsford facility and organisers expect the final figure to reach more than £250,000, a figure which will only cover eight weeks care.

Wendy Gibson, the hospice's fundraising manager, said: "The walk just gets better year on year.

"We drive up the route in support vehicles and it was lovely to see the sea of white walk t-shirts, which went on forever - it was magical."

A grand total of 160 volunteers gave up their time to sign us in, cheer us on, make sure we were safe crossing roads and, the most important job of all, make sure we had hot and tasty bacon butties waiting for us at the end.

Wendy said: "They enjoy it, get a real buzz out of it and we couldn't do it without them."

We certainly found their help and support invaluable as we trudged the seemingly endless miles, as well as the cheering we got from friends and family lining the route and curious passers by.

A special thanks must also go to the young men leaving pubs in Crewe and offering us all chips.

I walked the route with former Guardian reporters Gemma Sproston and Emma Cameron who crossed the finish line with me at 4am and gave me their views on the challenge.

Gemma said: "I wasn't looking forward to it and was feeling apprehensive - I didn't think I'd be able to complete it but I have done.

"I'm really chuffed and proud of us all."

Emma said: "The volunteers on the way round really motivated you and kept you going and it was nice to have that.

"The last couple of miles were definitely the hardest."

The first walkers to finish did it in just under three hours with the last walkers crossing the line at four-and-a-half hours.

The fundraising team are now racking their brains to think of a fundraising challenge for men and anyone with any suggestions should email fundraising@stlukes-hospice.co.uk.