LOCAL residents took to the streets on Saturday night for Prospect Hospice’s annual Starlight Walk.

Over 400 people participated in the sponsored night walk, completing a ten or fifteen kilometre route dressed in bright colours with glowing accessories.

Their efforts look set to have raised more than £40,000 for the hospice, which supports those suffering life-limiting illnesses.

Chair of the board of trustees, Tim Willis, and Amy Francombe, community and events manager at Prospect Hospice thanked walkers for their support.

Mr Willis said: “Starlight Walk has raised more than half a million pounds towards our nursing care since it first took place more than a decade ago. We are largely dependent on the the support we receive from people in our community who give their time, raising vital funds that enable us to care for the patients and families we meet each year.”

Sponsored by Imagine Cruising, the night began at Swindon Town Football Club with an energetic Clubbercise-style warm up led by local fitness instructor, Amy Fitness. She teaches a fusion of aerobics, dance and toning based fitness classes in and around Swindon.

Among the walkers were the family and friends of Mandy Smith, who spent her final days being cared for by the hospice before dying in February 2019. Mandy’s sister Lynn said: “Prospect Hospice was absolutely amazing, they made Mandy feel safe and loved in her final days.

“The compassion shown towards Mandy and our family was heart-warming. Everything they did for Mandy was truly outstanding and I will be forever in their debt,” she added.

Walkers crossed the finishing line at the County Ground to cheers from hospice staff and volunteers, before enjoying soup made by the Hospice’s catering team and pizza donated by Domino’s.