The night when more than 600 of you took the streets to prove what fundraising stars you really are ARMED with glow sticks and boundless energy, more than 600 women rallied behind Prospect Hospice last summer at the seventh annual Starlight Walk, raising no less than £55,000 along the way.

Clad in neon tutus, leg warmers, hats and sparkly jewellery, challengers set off from Lainesmead Primary School on June 28 at 8pm sharp on their respective 10k and 15k moonlit strolls at the Wroughton charity’s largest fundraising event.

Among them were local businesses, relatives and friends of former current and former patients, as well as a team of Adver staff.

Reporter Liz Mackley was joined by news editor Katie Bond, magazines and supplements editor Michelle Tompkins and group deputy editor Pauline Leighton as well as members of the sales and marketing team on the night in aid of the 160 Appeal.

Together they raised £500 towards vital nursing care in Swindon and beyond.

“I started a new fitness regime to lose enough weight to do a skydive for Prospect and the Starlight Walk helped me meet my weekly walking quota,” said Liz.

“I’m really proud of us for finishing it. And I’m so glad that we helped to raised £55,000 for people suffering from terminal illness. They need our help and we made a difference to their lives.”

Participants’ flashy outfits and accessories were not the only ones to shed a warm light under the moonlit skies at the ‘Light up The Night’ themed walk, as the hospice had planned a trail of luminous surprises along the route including a UV dream land, an enchanted lake and a fully lit tunnel.

“It was such an incredible event and the atmosphere was buzzing,” added Liz. “The light displays along the way were quite a sight.

Unlike some of the charity’s other events all donations collected through the Starlight Walk are spent directly on nursing care.

Prospect events fundraiser Genevieve Arney said: “This year’s Starlight Walk was really special. Not only did it not rain for the first time in a few years, but we also had over 600 walkers register to take part and join us on the night.

“All our walkers were wearing glow-in-the dark and light-up outfits and looked fantastic. They also raised an amazing £55,000 for the hospice, all of which will go directly towards our nursing care and allow us to continue giving the care and support needed to patients and their families in the local community.

“We are already taking registrations for next year’s Starlight Walk on Saturday, June 27 at the early bird price of just £12. Just visit www.prospect-hospice.net/starlight to register.”