Midnight walkers raise thousands for Rotherham Hospice
21 June 2010

The Parkgate Shopping car park was filling up. Car doors were slamming and hundreds of families were making their way to the central concourse. Sounds like a fairly typical shopping day at Rotherham’s popular retail destination, but this was 11pm on Saturday June 19, long after the stores had cashed up.

The crowds were arriving to take part in the annual Midnight Walk to raise valuable funds for Rotherham Hospice. Whether they elected to complete the long (10 mile) journey from Parkgate through the streets of Rotherham, or the short (5 mile) route, the target of £100,000 was within everyone’s sight.

To help them acclimatise to the unseasonably low June night temperature, Tony Styles provided some thumping music, the Pukka Pie ladies served an endless supply of tasty hot pies and there was a 10 minute pre-walk exercise session to tone the muscles.

Then, buoyed on by inspirational speeches from Rotherham Hospice Trust chairman David Clark, and Rotherham Mayor Cllr Rose McNeely, and plenty of encouragement from John Breckin, who came up with the idea for the walk in honour of his late wife, the walkers took their feet onto the street.

In perfect walking conditions, and with excellent support from the police, fire service, volunteer marshals, St John’s Ambulance and the safety team from Raynet, the walk took place in fine spirits.

“Thanks again to Parkgate for all its support, and we are looking forward to another bumper contribution to Hospice funds once all the sponsorship is collected,” said event organiser, Louise Johnson.

Top left: Parkgate Operations Manager, Billy Smith, briefs Rotherham Hospice Trust chairman David Clark and Rotherham Mayor Cllr Rose McNeely
Second left: the KP team who handed out packets of KP Nuts
Bottom left: Most of the participants were walking to remember loved ones

Top right: A group of happy walkers
Second right: Even the Mayor had to register
Third right: The RAYNET team made sure that nothing was left to chance
Bottom right: The pies proved to be as popular as ever

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