Successful Midnight Memory Walk raises funds for Rotherham Hospice

All that mattered was that everyone who was remembered on the back of these Midnight Memory Walk tops was a life made more comfortable at the saddest of times by Rotherham Hospice.

It was a reminder of how there can be very few families across the borough without a connection to the charity since its origins in the late 1980s.

The first walk took place back in 2008 – setting off from Millmoor in what would prove to be the last event at the Millers old home. This rebooted fundraiser saw almost 700 walkers depart New York Stadium at the stroke of midnight on Saturday.

Entertainment and the all-important warm-ups took place in the ground’s car park, where there was an atmosphere of excitement at the prospect of a popular event in the hospice’s calendar returning after an absence of several years.

The throng of white shirts headed up Main Street – passing cheering revellers outside Snafu and Elliots on Westgate – and on to Doncaster Gate and round the outside of Clifton Park. Walkers split between the 10km and 15km distances, but continued to chat – sharing jokes, memories and reasons for being there.

The total raised is already well above £30,000, with the webpage still open at www.justgiving.com/campaign/midnight-memory-walk and many offline funds still to be handed in.

Hospice ambassador John Breckin said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people coming together to support the hospice. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Mat Cottle-Shaw, the charity’s incoming chief executive, added: “It was fantastic to see so many come out to support our amazing charity.

"We’re all here because we’ve all witnessed the work the hospice does. When you raise funds for the hospice, you are ensuring that we can continue to provide the care and support for the families and patients that have got an incurable disease. Thank you for every penny that you’ve raised.”

Pre-register for 2024 at www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk/midnight-memory-walk-2024/