Fundraisers vote for return of Midnight Wander

Plans are still in the pipeline for one of Willow Wood Hospice's biggest fundraising events of the year.

But the charity has been appealing for your views about this year’s event.

The much-loved Midnight Wander had become a huge annual event in the charity’s fundraising year and is still in this year’s calendar, marked down this coming September.

After a short break in the event - which attracted literally thousands of participants parading through Tameside all donned in pink - the fundraiser was resurrected to mark the hospice’s 20th anniversary last year.

On September 20, 2019, a special 10k Midnight Wander was sponsored by Dukinfield’s Astley Sports Village with participants setting off from the venue following a warm-up.

They then paraded along a route around the borough before returning to the centre, receiving a medal for their efforts.

Previously a ‘ladies-only’ event, last year it was expanded to include men and children (accompanied by an adult).

This year’s event is scheduled to go ahead on Friday, September 11 - and the charity says it would love to continue with the fundraiser.

However, following the pandemic and although lockdown is gradually being eased, the charity has been asking for residents’ and fundraisers’ views on how it might best be done.

The offer is again to meet up at Astley Sports Village with a (socially distanced) warm-up before setting off in teams or small groups.

Or, following lockdown, whether participants would prefer to walk 10k within their social bubble, anytime during the month of September.

The vote has been taking place on the hospice’s Facebook page - with a clear response that most people would favour the first idea if it is possible.

Main image:

FLASHBACK: Some of last year’s ‘Wanderers’.