THE streets of Colchester sparkled as thousands of women wearing flashing bunny ears took part in St Helena Hospice’s Midnight Walk.

The event, supported by the Gazette, saw 2,000 women walk a circular route of 7.5 miles starting and finishing at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Some walked in memory of loved ones, or to support friends who have suffered a loss, and some joined forces with colleagues.

But no matter what their reason for taking part, they all pledged to raise money for the hospice.

The total stands at £156,000 – already more than the £150,000 raised at the first event last year.

Kate Alden, event manager, said: “Every penny of this will go to the hospice to support the work we do, so we really do appreciate everyone’s hard work.”

Abbie Beckford, deputy fundraising and marketing director for the hospice, said the final figure could reach £200,000.

“We are just absolutely delighted, over the moon,” she said Miss Beckford said there was “a lot of fun” all the way round the route, which went along Severalls Lane, down Ipswich Road, along Cowdray Avenue past North Station, up Mill Road back to the stadium.

She continued: “The atmosphere on the night was amazing and the fun spirit among all the walkers wasn’t even dampened by the rain which descended in the second half of the event.

“Stewards and volunteers along the route gave the walkers lots of support and encouragement and passers-by stopped to wave, clap and cheer the ladies on.”

Miss Beckford said the flashing bunny ears, which the hospice sells on the night, had become almost a “must-have” accessory for the walk.

Women also sported Midnight Walk T-shirts, and some wore costumes. On crossing the finish line, they all collected a medal and goody bag.

Jenny Overton, 46, who teaches at Colne Bank School of Dancing in Wivenhoe, took part with staff and students from the school. They have raised at least £1,000 as some sponsorship is yet to come in. She said: “It was fantastic fun, really fantastic. The atmosphere was buzzing. It was such a beautiful evening.

“Obviously, we all got drenched, but it was still fun because it was so warm.”

She explained that the event was emotional because the fathers of two members of dance school staff had been looked after by the hospice.

Linda Cameron, whose brother Graham was cared for by the hospice, took part in the Midnight Walk for the first time and raised £800.

The 33-year-old from Brightlingsea said she thought it was a well-organised event.

She said she would take part in the Midnight Walk “for life”.

Miss Beckford wanted to thank the 150 event volunteers, as well as the Midnight Walk sponsors: Colchester United, the Gazette, Red Tiger, Hatfields Furnishers, Specsavers in Clacton, Balfour Beatty, REL Field Marketing, Water Direct, Anglia Crown, Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club and Spa and Total Car Parks.