Glasgow’s first Midnight Walk will light up the city and raise funds for a city hospice.
The spectacular event, in aid of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice (PPWH) and supported by the Evening Times Glas-goals campaign, will take place on Saturday, May 15.
You can choose a 5km or 10km route, winding your way along the Clydeside and across six of Glasgow’s bridges which will be lit up to create a magical midnight backdrop.
Every penny raised will help the hospice care for terminally ill patients – and every mile walked will bring us closer to our goal of walking or running one million miles for Glas-goals.
It’s the first time Glasgow has held an event of this kind, on this scale, and PPWH fundraising director Morag Cunningham believes it has the potential to become one of the city’s finest charity events.
“It will be a fabulous night, open to men and women, whether they are walking on their own or with friends, family members or colleagues,” she explains. “We will have a warm-up at the start with Clyde One FM presenter Suzie McGuire, and lots of entertainment along the way.
“The sponsorship money will help us to raise much-needed funds, which will enable us to help terminally ill patients face their own personal challenges and make the most of the time they have remaining.
“We’re hoping that about 2000 people will sign up and wear as many bright colours as possible – you can even come in fancy dress or pyjamas, if you like. We want to light up Glasgow – and I think our first Midnight Walk will turn out to be a night out with a difference.”
Michelle Cree has already signed up for the Midnight Walk together with a crowd of her line-dancing friends. The group, who have known each other for years, are taking part in memory of Michelle’s sister-in-law Linda Cree, who had cancer and was treated at the hospice.
Linda, who had four children, was just 47 when she died, and her loss is still felt by friends and family.
“Linda got ill very suddenly – it came out of the blue when she was diagnosed with brain cancer,” explains Michelle, 41. “She suddenly started dragging her leg, had trouble with her balance, and then lost all feeling on one side. Everyone thought it was a stroke, but she was diagnosed with secondary brain cancer..”
Michelle adds: “She was so young and so full of life. It was terrible – a real shock for everyone who knew her.”
Linda was a keen line dancer – although she cheerfully admitted she had “two left feet”.
Michelle smiles: “It was Linda who talked me into going along to the class, and we had such a great laugh. It’s good exercise and we have a lot of fun.”
Other dancers in the group, including Eva Reid, Evelyn McCone, Joyce Butchart, Eileen McAllister and lone male Craig Foylan – have also signed up for the Midnight Walk with Michelle.
“We do a lot of fund-raising, and this seems the perfect event to support in memory of Linda,” explains Eva. “I think it will be emotional for everyone taking part, as there will be so many people with stories of their own.”
She smiles: “But I think Linda will be with us every step of the way. She’ll be looking down on us having a right laugh!”
HOW TO ENTER
The first ever Midnight Walk, in aid of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and supported by Glas-goals, takes place on Saturday, May 15. You can choose either a 5k or a 10k route and both start and finish at the SECC.
The event is sponsored by Slumdog Bar and Kitchen.
It costs £20 per walker for all entries and the closing date for entries is Tuesday, May 11. If you register online before March 31, you will save the £1.40 online registration fee.
Participants must be over 16 years of age.
For more information, or to register, visit www.ppwh.org.uk or call 0141 429 9859.
And remember to tell us why you are supporting the Midnight Walk! Email ann.fotheringham@eveningtimes.co.uk with your story.
