THE SUM of cash submitted from the Midnight Walk now stands at a staggering £50,000 – with more than a third of participants yet to pay.

Already a massive £15,000 above the target, it would seem the hospice has been given a near perfect beginning to its ‘Caring for our Future’ Capital Appeal.

But ECH fundraising and communications manager Phil Robertshaw has been busy thrashing out sums which clearly show how Maxonians can further boost their wonderous walking efforts.

"The average donation (gift) so far is £109 – meaning if the other 194 people submit, then – wow!

"If everyone does give their walk money in, then the total will be touching £61,000.

"That will take my breath away," said Phil.

The September Midnight Walk was the inaugural event for the hospice’s Capital Appeal and has since had a big name appeal patron – Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs – climb aboard.

Designed as a launch-pad for an assault on the £2.4million needed to build and run new facilites at the Upton Priory based charity, the walk involved 556 devoted souls taking to the Macclesfield streets for a 10km trot.

Phil added: "The first 362 have got us this far – now it’s up to the other 194. What a Christmas present it would be for the hospice to go past all the amounts we have set.

"We are a small charity and we feel every single gift."

So with the deadline for submission of sponsorship already gone – the message from ECH is simple.

"Give your friends a ring and chase up those people and get the cheque to us," said Phil. "There are so many heart warming stories of people doing us proud – it’s now time to add to that list.

"Come on Macclesfield, there’s a lot of money still sitting out there," he added. "I’m sure people are looking at Christmas and other things.

"But it’s essential, we are depending on it. All people need to do is make that last bit of sweat and cross the final line. Please, please do everything you can!"

Sponsorship money should be sent to Kate Reading at East Cheshire Hospice, Millbank Drive, Macclesfield, SK10 3DR or brought in to the hospice. Please email kreading@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 433477 if you need assistance.