More than 1,500 took part making the event its biggest ever

A fundraising walk raised a record �201,000 for a charity – and provided an early birthday present for one of the organisers.

Around 1,500 walkers took part in the biggest ever Midnight Walk for St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton Grange, Kenton Road, Kenton, on Friday (17).

Starting at Harrow Leisure Centre in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, the event is St Luke’s biggest ever, exceeding their target and comfortably surpassing last year’s �182,000 sum much to the delight of co-organiser Jemini Shah, who turns 25 this Friday (4)..

Ms Shah organised the nine-mile walk alongside Esther Gillham.

She said: “It was a really good night and everyone really enjoyed it.

“It was amazing how much support we had. It makes such a big difference and it’s nice to know how much support we have.

“You can’t describe the feeling when you see so many ladies dressed in pink. I can’t believe it’s all over so quickly.”

The hospice relies on donations to care for the terminally ill, enabling them to achieve the best possible quality of life during the final stages of their illness.

They have an in-patient unit, out-patient clinics, and a day care unit, as well as hospice at home and community palliative Care teams who visit the sick in their home.

To continue offering all these services the hospice must raise �3million per year. The money raised at the weekend will cover the cost of two beds in the in-patient unit for a whole year.

The event, now in its fourth year, is the hospice’s largest event both in terms of number of people taking part and money raised.

Before the walk singers and dancers performed at the leisure centre and after the crossing the finish line participants were treated to breakfast, thanks to the generosity of a number of bakeries.

Ms Shah revealed a number of people had already signed up for the event, now in its fourth year, for 2012.

She added: “Thank you to everyone and hopefully people will keep supporting the hospice.”

To make a donation, or to volunteer, visit www.stlukes-hospice.org/Support+Us.