1,200 step up to help hospice

Central on Friday night.

Around 1,200 walkers took part in the event, which this year was brought forward two months.

Organisers said revellers out and about made spontaneous donations as they passed through Spinningfields, the Northern Quarter and by the Manchester Arena. The event, now in its 12th year, has raised £2m for the hospice, which has sites in Heald Green, Little Hulton and the Neil Cliffe Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, as well outreach and community services.

Former Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay took part with a group of friends. She said: “It’s the first time I’ve done the Midnight Walk and the atmosphere is fabulous.

“I’ve had a lot of family and friends treated at St Ann’s and I’ve known chief executive Eamonn O’Neal for many years.

“Last year, a close relative who died had a place in the hospice but didn’t quite make it there.

“St Ann’s offers peace of mind and palliative care for a time when for everyone it’s the best place to be and helps so many people.”

A large group of walkers created their own St Patrick’s Day parade in memory of a woman who died just two months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Michelle Gannon, 35, from Wigan, was remembered by a group of 42, including her mother Margaret and her four daughters.

Her older sister Kathy said: “Our family felt like she was at home when she went to the hospice. They took our sadness away and it was such a relief.

“She was the celebrity of our family and St Ann’s cared for her like she was one of theirs too.

“Michelle loved her Irish dancing and was so proud of our family’s Irish roots, so we thought we’d give her own St Patrick’s Day Parade.

“She was extremely successful and set up her own business and always wanted to give something back.”

Don Fraser, from Heaton Moor, Stockport, completed the walk in memory of his late wife, Helen, who died at the hospice aged 56 last year after suffering a brain tumour.

The family of dinner lady Amanda Walton, who died aged 64 last month, also took part, as did granddaughters of Elsie Thompson, from Sale, who died last year aged 90.

Eamonn O’Neal, the hospice’s chief executive, said: “We’re always amazed at the warmth and generosity people from across Greater Manchester have for our charity, but to see so many gathered together on Friday having a great time and raising money for our patients was overwhelming.

“As a charity we only receive about a third of our funding from the NHS, so rely on the kind generosity of the public to help us raise around £20,000 every day, which is what we need to continue providing our care.

“We’re really looking forward to receiving everyone’s sponsorship money so we can find out how much has been raised at the event.”