GALLERY There was sore feet and smiles as 200 women took to the streets of Ipswich to raise money for a vital charity - at midnight.The women pounded the streets in an array of weird and wonderful headgear in the first ever midnight walk, organised by St Elizabeth Hospice.

THERE was sore feet and smiles as 200 women took to the streets of Ipswich to raise money for a vital charity - at midnight.

The women pounded the streets in an array of weird and wonderful headgear in the first ever midnight walk, organised by St Elizabeth Hospice.

The event on Saturday, which saw women of all ages take part in an eight mile stomp around the outskirts of the town is on target to raise £20,000 for the hospice.

Fitness First staff led a warm up at the Copleston Centre before the walkers began their journey at midnight, pausing briefly for refreshments at Colchester Road fire station and Isaacs pub on the Waterfront.

Marshals and police community support officers at every corner ensured the participants kept to the route and the walk was finished in around three hours.

Patsy Johnson, community fundraising manager at the hospice, who joined in the walk, said: “I'm really pleased with how it went. I thought it would take people longer but the ladies were walking at quite a fast pace.

“It was a great atmosphere. A lot of people were waving at us from their windows.

“I'm pleased that so many people joined in for our first ever Midnight Walk and I think it is just going to get bigger and better every year.

“The firefighters put on a barbeque for everyone and they were also dressed up in costumes.

“Everything was given to us completely free, including the refreshments. It was a really good night for Ipswich. Everyone came together to support their local charity.”

Another walker, Linda King, from Curlew Green, Kelsale, said: “It was wonderful. I had a lovely time and I think everyone enjoyed it. All the women were so happy.

“I'm a breast cancer survivor and I realise how lucky I am as a lot of people don't make it. I felt happy and lucky to be taking part. I raised about £750.”

The idea for the walk came after several fundraisers were unsuccessful in getting into the annual London Moon Walk which raises awareness and money for breast cancer and sees thousands of women stepping it out in decorated bras.

Each year the hospice fundraising team has to find ways of raising £3million to keep the crucial facility running. Last year it helped more than 1,400 people.

Are you holding a fun event for charity? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk