Related content

More than 1,000 pairs of feet trudged through Macclesfield on Saturday for the East Cheshire Hospice’s Midnight Walk 2011.

The annual 10k trek is a great opportunity for friends and family, who have seen loved ones cared for at the Millbank Drive hospice, to help raise money and show their support for the cause.

And with 1,019 walkers taking part on the night organiser Lara Rigby said this year was the best yet. Lara, community and events fundraiser at the hospice, said: "It was absolutely brilliant. The weather was gorgeous, it was really dry and bright, lots of people were getting back just as dawn was breaking."

With the help of local band Dazed and Confused, walkers warmed up at Macclesfield Leisure Centre before heading to Gawsworth and back, enjoying a bacon butty to finish the night off.

Lara added: "The memory lanterns were scattered across the field of the hospice so the walkers could see them as they walked up Victoria Road and looked towards the hospice. People had been to the hospice earlier to write messages to loved ones who have passed away."

She added: "A massive thank you to everyone who took part, all the supporters, local businesses and individuals that supported us on the night.

"Now its the time to pull out all the stops to collect in the sponsorship – we’re hoping to raise £100,000 which would be amazing."