Ladies get set for Jospice midnight walk

Ladies on Merseyside are being urged to join forces and sign up to this year's Jospice Midnight Walk sponsored by Medicash. The 11K walk takes place on Friday 12th June, and has walkers following a new route that starts and finishes at Holy Family High School in Thornton.

In aid of St Joseph's Hospice, the annual walk was first held in 2006 and has since raised over £150,000 for the charity. Based in Thornton, the hospice was established in 1974 and has cared for over 5,000 people and their families.

Jospice's director of fundraising Pat Murphy said, "We are hoping this year's walk will be bigger and better than ever, with us aiming to raise over £60,000 with the help of more than a 1,000 walkers. There is always a fun atmosphere and plenty of encouragement from everyone involved. A bit of good weather also helps! We have a good number of ladies who support us every year and it is always nice to welcome new faces."

Liverpool based health cash plan provider Medicash has sponsored the fundraising event since it was launched four years ago. Medicash's chief executive Sue Weir said, "Medicash has a long history of charitable giving and has been caring for people on Merseyside for 138 years. We are delighted to continue our support of Jospice and sponsor the Midnight Walk again. The care St Joseph's Hospice provides for patients and the support to families is invaluable and the walk will ensure essential funds are raised to continue with this specialist care. It is a fun occasion and a healthy way to raise money for such a good cause."

Other sponsors include Holy Family High School who are hosting the walk for the first time, Sefton PCT, Merseytravel, Sainsbury's, Lions, Merseyside Police and Total Fitness. Goodman's Solicitors are supporting the event by providing on-site loos so no-one will get caught short!

Well known supporters of Jospice include Liverpool actress Pauline Daniels, who helped launch the 2009 walk, Cherie Booth QC, who is vice president of the charity, and actor and broadcaster Dean Sullivan..

Anyone signing up for the walk and joining Medicash by 19th June will be eligible for immediate cover and will be entered into a free prize draw to win £100 worth of Love2shop vouchers which can be used in a number of high street stores. Simply call 0800 011 2222 and quote 'Midnight Walk'. Also, on the night of the walk there will be a free prize draw for all ladies who take part to win £50 of Love2shop vouchers.

Medicash plans start from as little as £6.50 a month and are there to cover the costs of everyday healthcare such as visits to the dentist and optician. They also include discounted gym membership and chiropody which are likely to appeal to anyone thinking of doing the walk, and cover for sports massage maybe a welcome treatment after the walk!

To take part in the Jospice Ladies' Midnight Walk, download a registration form from www.jospice.org.uk or call 0151 932 6035 for more information. Registration is £8, you will be sent a t-shirt and sponsorship form before the event. On the night all participants will receive a goody bag including bottled water, fruit and a chocolate bar.