Ladies to get set for Jospice Midnight Walk

Ladies on Merseyside are being urged to sign up to this year's Jospice Midnight Walk sponsored by Medicash as the final countdown to the walk begins. The 11Km walk takes place on Friday 12 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 1,000 walkers. There is always a fun atmosphere and plenty of encouragement from everyone involved."

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 raised to continue with this specialist care. It is a fun occassion 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.

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