A brief heavy rain shower didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 200 participants who took a sponsored four mile nighttime sponsored walk around the streets of Highwoods, raising over £12,000 to help people who need hospice care and bereavement support.

Pre-event, participants enjoyed food and hot drinks, along with a fun photobooth and face glitter station at the Event Village, followed by an energetic warm up led by Toni from Colchester Clubbercise before they set off the final Midnight Walk.

Some people stopped off at the Hospice on Barncroft Close to pay tribute in memory of a loved one.

As the walkers crossed the finish line for the final time since it started in 2009, participants received a medal and a well-earned bottle of water and slice of Tiptree Patisserie cake.

Participant numbers for Midnight Walk have been dropping over recent years and St Helena Hospice previously announced this was to be the last. Supporters can sign up for many other events and challenges throughout the year, including the upcoming Harwich Half Marathon and 10k on 4th October and the Pier to Pier walk in May next year.

Kayleigh Jowers, Senior Events and Challenges Fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said:

“We had a fantastic time with our supporters on Saturday night and despite the rain shower, the show went on with smiles all around as every single participant made Midnight Walk even more special as we close the curtain on it for the last time.