Let’s go walking after midnight!

St Andrew’s Hospice has announced the return of its Midnight Walk.

The much-loved fundraiser has had to be put on hold for the last couple of years due to the pandemic, but organisers have revealed that the event will take place on Saturday, June 18.

The walk, which starts at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, sees participants walk an eight, 10 or 13mile route around North Lanarkshire – taking in Carfin, New Stevenston, Holytown, Mossend and Motherwell.

Deputy head of fundraising, Louise O’donnell, is excited to be bringing the event back after a three-year hiatus.

She said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring back this feel-good event after three really challenging years with limited events.

“With restrictions now lifting, we are asking for your help once again, to join our Midnight Walk and raise vital funds to help people in your local community.”

Every step participants take helps people like Mark who lost his dad in the hospice in 2020.

Mark told us: “It was dad that asked to go to St Andrew’s. He was just 59 and had lived with Crohn’s disease for 30 years – but then the cancer arrived and, well, it was just too much.

“He was cared for incredibly by the team there. My mum, sister and I spent time just being together, talking and sharing memories.

“The nurses looked after him like he was their own family for the few weeks he was there.

“When he died, we were all there with him and it was the most peaceful time. Nothing could have been done to make his journey better.”

Louise O’donnell added: “Every person who signs up to take part in the Midnight Walk makes delivering the care Mark’s dad received possible for others too.

“If you can, we need you to get involved in events like our Midnight Walk to help our team continue providing this compassionate, expert care.

“There’s always a great sense of camaraderie on the night with people walking in memory of a loved one, as a way of keeping fit or simply to do something a little different on a Saturday night.

“We hope this will be the biggest and best Midnight Walk yet! So get your friends, family and colleagues together and sign up by completing and returning the registration form provided.

“Alternatively, you can register online at www.st-andrews hospice. com/events, give our fundraising team a call on 01236 766951 or pop into your local St Andrew’s Hospice shop and ask for a form.”