More than 800 women walked through the streets of Surrey on Friday, June 18, to raise money for the Sam Beare Hospice in Weybridge and Woking Hospice.

Adorned in red T-shirts and flashing bunny ears, the women set off on the 10-mile midnight walk from Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, and carried on through Addlestone, New Haw and West Byfleet, before heading back to the museum.

Men, many of them recovering from England’s dismal World Cup performance earlier in the night, were not completely left out, as they marshalled the course and provided encouragement for their wives and sisters.

One of the participants, 15-year-old Jody Powell, said she was walking in memory of her step-father, who was cared for at the Sam Beare Hospice.

She said: “I tragically lost my step-dad Nick, to melanoma cancer. Nick didn’t deserve to be taken so early, aged just 52. Spending his life laughing, joking and doing what was best for everyone, Nick was like no other guy. He was one in a million.

“The doctors and nurses at Sam Beare made Nick’s last weeks peaceful and pain free. They gave him the care he needed, when he needed it most. I’m going to do all I can to raise them as much money as possible, as I feel that their work should continue on, so others are able to get treated the way that Nick did, with care, expertise, and passion.”

Last year, the Sam Beare Hospice launched an appeal after it was forced to shut its daycare services due to a decline in donations. The daycare service is now open again, but for just one day a week.

Mary Lacey, director of fundraising at the hospices, said “This is the third year that we have held a midnight walk and once again we have received tremendous support from our sponsors, volunteers and by everyone that took part. The total number of walkers is not quite as many as last year, but we have still had more than £120,000 pledged on the night and this will increase with charity match and gift aid.”

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