Midnight fundraiser to return in May to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice

Hundreds of people from across Greater Manchester will be hitting the city’s streets for the return of the Manchester Midnight Walk this May to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event is the first time the midnight fundraiser has been able to take place since 2019, with a virtual-only event taking place instead. The Manchester Midnight Walk has been running for 15 years, with funds generated by sponsorship raising over £2 million for the charity.

This year’s fundraiser is sponsored by Betfred, and the 10 km sponsored walk will set off from Manchester Cathedral at midnight on the evening of Friday 20^th May, passing many of the city’s landmarks. Entertainment on route will ensure participants have a fun-packed evening while raising money for the Heald Green hospice. 

Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said:

“I’m so excited that the Manchester Midnight Walk can be back in the city centre where it belongs again this year.  It’s such an important event in our annual calendar and we’ve had supporters saying how much they’ve missed it during the pandemic. 

“It’s a way for people to gather together and celebrate this amazing city, and there is always such a fantastic atmosphere on the night.  Some people take part in honour of a loved one, while others simply join us for a fun evening raising money for a local cause.  We’d love as many people as possible to join us and help us really celebrate the return of the Manchester Midnight Walk in style.” 

For those unable to attend on 20^th May, the hospice is also offering people the opportunity to take part in the Manchester Virtual Walk, a challenge which offers participants the chance to choose their own date in May to complete a 10km walk. 

The virtual walk can be done at any time and place supporters wish, with some choosing to walk 1 km a day for ten days, some 10 km in one go, or others 10km a day for a set period of time.  The challenge can be fully flexible and tailored to fit the individual’s own preferences, location and pace. Rachel added:

“As a charity, our teams have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic to ensure local people have been able to access specialist palliative and end of life care when they’ve needed it most. 

“Fundraising has been challenging, with many events like the Midnight Walk cancelled or adapted, so we’re hugely grateful to local people who have been thinking of us and helping us raise money to keep our services running. 

“We need to fundraise around £20,000 a day to do that, so every penny raised at events like the Manchester Midnight Walk really does make a difference to the lives of local people.  Please do sign up if you can – we’d love to see you there.” 

Participants will receive a free fundraising pack and yellow t-shirt to don during their walk, and will also be sent an exclusive medal on completion.? 

?Sign ups can be made on the St Ann’s Hospice website.