WALKERS are preparing to step out for charity as the Prospect Hospice kickstarts its biggest fundraiser of the year.

The Starlight Walk, supported by Nationwide Building Society, is Swindon’s biggest local charity mass participation event.

Last year saw more than 700 woman pounding the streets of Swindon to raise nearly £80,000 for the hospice.

This year, the organisers are hoping to break all attendance and fundraising records with their biggest and brightest walk yet.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 18, this year from a new venue, the Croft Sports Centre.

Sheryl Crouch, head of fundraising, said: “The Starlight Walk is a fantastic evening which always gets really well supported by the community in terms of volunteers, the police, the general public and of course the ladies who participate.”

Like last year, there will be two routes – 10k and 15k, offering a challenge to all abilities, and organisers are hoping it will be a fun night.

“Of course, there’s a serious side to the Starlight Walk as well, and that is to raise as much money as we can to pay for the care we offer because our services are completely free to all who need them,” said Sheryl.

The money raised will form part of the £5m that is needed to keep the hopsice running. Seventy per cent of the money has to be raised by the charity.

“The great thing about using Croft is that the two walks will now go past the Hospice, which we haven’t done on a Starlight Walk before,” said Sheryl.

“As well as the ladies taking part in the walk we also welcome support from men who would like to steward at the event.”

To take part in Prospect’s Starlight Walk call 01793 816161 or log on to www.prospect-hospice.net/starlight to register.

As part of the early bird registration, the Walk will cost just £12 for people who book before March 1, or £15 afterwards.

Registrations close on May 23, and participants are asked to aim for a sponsorship target of £100 each.