The biggest ever girls’ night out in the area was a fun-filled success for St Giles Hospice, which held its first ever Solstice Walk in Lichfield at the weekend.

Over 400 women – some wearing pyjamas, nighties and dressing gowns –strode through the night of 23rd /24th June to raise funds for the local charity, which cares for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The party spirit was in full swing at 10pm, when the exuberant crowd set off, either on two circuits of a six-mile route or on a less strenuous single lap.

Speaking as she was nearing the finishing line, Mavis Harvey, aged 76 from Etching Hill, Rugeley said: “The atmosphere tonight is incredible! I came here alone but soon started chatting with two other ladies and we’ve been laughing and joking all the way around the course – I’m surprised we’ve got any breath left to walk!

“For anyone who missed out this time, make sure you’re here next year!”

Open to all ages and levels of fitness, the walk was a tough challenge for some, who had themselves battled illness but were determined to reach the finish line.

Others taking part succeed both in raising funds for the hospice as well as losing weight through their training and have vowed to keep up their exercise ready for next year’s event.

Sarah Shelton, Community Fundraiser for St Giles Hospice, says: “It was a terrific night – the atmosphere was amazing, there was a real sense of fun to the occasion and the fact that it was the summer solstice added to the romantic, moonlit ambience.

“But more than that, the women who took part were a huge inspiration to us all, and made this event a night to remember.

“Our fantastic ladies all received a stylish glass keepsake – perfect to use as a paperweight and with an image of a walker inside, we hope it reminds them of the fun they had on the night!

“Log on to www.photoboxgallery.com/stgiles to see if you and your friends were captured during the walk. Images from the night can be purchased along with mugs, mousemats and t-shirts.

“We cannot thank them enough for helping our cause and we hope that all those who have pledged sponsorship won’t forget to hand over their money to our wonderful walkers!

“Thanks to all those involved, the Solstice Walk was the biggest fundraising event St Giles has ever hosted and looks set to raise in excess of £50,000, all of which will go straight to fund the hospice’s care.”

Before the women set off, the skies were filled with colour as 300 balloons were released with attached messages of thanks to the hospice, good luck messages for walkers and touching tributes remembering family and friends who have passed away.

Although men were not able to take part in the walk itself, many turned out to cheer on sisters, wives, friends and colleagues – and assisted along the way by serving refreshments and ensuring the safety of the walkers.

Sarah continues: “We were overwhelmed by the support we received from friends – and also from local businesses.

“The assistance 1st Sports Events provided in organising the route, the Army Training Regiment in Lichfield in offering radio back up, and the support of the local police and St John Ambulance Brigade are also greatly appreciated.

“We are hugely grateful to all the local companies who sponsored the event and to all those who turned out in support, and we are pleased for their sakes that it was such a warm and pleasant summer night to enjoy with only a brief rain shower which the walkers found very refreshing.”

For those who missed out this time, the hospice is already planning to hold the event again next year, on solstice night, Saturday 21st June.

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered at the hospice’s facilities in Sutton Coldfield and Whittington, between Lichfield and Tamworth, or in patients’ own homes across the region.

The range of high-quality, specialist services are expensive to provide, and the hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising – of which initiatives such as the Solstice Walk play a major part.