PREPARATIONS are underway for the eighth annual midnight walk in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

The event, which has grown significantly since its launch in 2005, will see up to 1,700 women cover 13.1 gruelling miles from Crewe to Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, on Saturday, June 9.

Jane Thompson, organising the event, said: “St Luke’s was inspired to launch the ladies only Midnight Walk by a former patient of the hospital, who was suffering with breast cancer.

“It is definitely a challenge, 13.1 miles is a long way, but it is a lot of fun and a different experience for everybody.”

Over the years participants have included girls as young as the age of seven and the oldest walker to date, who was 84. One walker also travelled for Germany to take part.

And if 13.1 miles sounds too far, women can still do their bit by taking part in the Half Moon walk, which totals 6.5 miles.

This year’s event is hoping to rake in £250,000 for hospice, which costs around £6,200 to run each day.

Due to the popularity of previous events, organisers have decided to reverse this year’s route, which will now start at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Crewe campus.

Registration is now open for the event. To sign up, visit: midnightwalk.co.uk or call 01606 555 688