WOMEN from across Cheshire came together at the weekend to walk through the night and help raise £175,000 for St Luke’s Hospice.

The 13th Midnight Walk organised by Winsford-based St Luke’s Hospice took place on Saturday, July 1, and saw 960 women gather on the streets of Crewe and Nantwich.

Starting from Reaseheath College, they completed either the 13.1 mile or 6.5 mile routes dressed in neon.

Air Products sponsored St Luke’s Midnight Walk this year and brought added colour and excitement with their illuminating helium balloons, a wonderful addition which looked stunning against the midnight sky.

Tim Hulbert, vice president for UK and Ireland at Air Products, attended the Walk and met many of the women who took part.

He said: “On behalf of the Air Products team I’d like to say a huge ‘well done’ to everyone who took part in The Midnight Walk 2017. As always, it inspires many great stories, personal achievements and fund raising efforts so it’s been an honour for us to be part of making it happen.”

The mammoth event was supported by more than 150 volunteers helping to ensure that the event ran smoothly for the inspirational ladies.

Scouts of all ages from Wilson House Scouts worked for 24 hours setting up the venue and stewarding the route, Willis Bros Contractors took responsibility for closing the roads on the route, Nantwich Police were on hand to keep the ladies safe throughout the night, and Crewe FC added a touch of excitement at their marshal point with some toasted marshmallows.

Jane Thompson, head of events management at St Luke’s, said: “A huge ‘well done’ to all of the amazing ladies who took part, they truly did themselves and St Luke’s proud. Thank you as well to Air Products who were our wonderful sponsors this year, to other local businesses who supported us, and to all the volunteers who gave up their time to, the event simply could not have happened without them.

“This was a truly fantastic evening and has raised so much money for our hospice.”

Over the 13 Midnight Walks held by St Luke’s, in excess of £2.5 million has been raised for the hospice, and its success has inspired similar events across the UK.