Dazzling costumes decorated with glitter and neon will illuminate the streets of Ipswich during next year’s Midnight Walk, organisers have revealed.
At the launch of the 2018 event, St Elizabeth Hospice chiefs said hopes are high for a record breaking year as they unveiled a new venue and theme.
For the first time ever, fundraisers pounding the streets on May 12 will begin and end the walk at Trinity Park, stopping by at the hospice in Foxhall Road along the way.
Participants are being encouraged to embrace the new neon and sparkle theme by adding a sprinkle of glitter to face paint and costumes.
Rebecca Jedrzejewski, the hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “Last year’s Midnight Walk was phenomenal.
“Around 2,500 people took part and over £200,000 was raised for the hospice – enough to cover the cost of one weeks’ care across the hospice and in the community.
“In 2018 the event will begin and end at Trinity Park, a well-known and popular venue in the town but, crucially, around three miles from the hospice, allowing us to include it as a stop off along the walk, giving supporters the opportunity to remember loved ones we’ve helped to care for.
She added: “The new neon and sparkle theme will mean that we retain the popular neon theme people have come to know and love about the event but, by adding the sparkle, we have something else fun to play with.”
Rex Howes from Felixstowe has already started training.
Despite having two replacement hips, the 71-year-old is taking on the six-mile stretch with granddaughter Amber in memory of his friend, Malcolm Osborne.
He said: “I completed the Midnight Walk in 2013 and again in 2014 with my good friend Malcolm.
“He was a fit man and always complained that I wasn’t quick enough for him.
“The first time we did the walk was only months after Malcolm’s wife lost her battle with cancer.
“Before her death, Malcolm had dedicated himself to looking after her at home and received help from the hospice’s community team.
“In June this year, Malcolm was taken ill and wanted to spend the time he had left in St Elizabeth Hospice where he knew he would be well cared for.
He added: “He got his wish.”
Sign up and buy tickets from the St Elizabeth Hospice website.
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