ORGANISERS of this year's Midnight Walk are stunned after more than £150,000 was raised.

The second annual 13-mile ladies-only trek took place on Saturday night, with 1,200 walkers suffering from aching legs and feet in a bid to raise vital funds for St Luke's Hospice.

Fundraising manager Wendy Gibson said: "We are reeling from its success and cannot quite believe we had an amazing £166,000 pledged. This will run the hospice for almost six weeks.

"Words cannot explain the feeling of euphoria that was present on the night.

"There were so many women walking for special reasons and who were also walking 13 miles for the first time in their lives."

Stilt walkers, fire-eaters and an escapologist were among the entertainment available on the night and a warm up session to music was moving for many women.

Wendy said: "To see 1,200 ladies waving their arms and shaking their legs to Proud by Heather Small is a sight that will stay with me for years to come and brought a lump to many throats.

"There were so many special stories of walkers, from the two granddaughters who walked with their gran to the lady on crutches, supported by her friend who pushed a wheelchair for her when needed.

"It is this level of support which made it such a wonderful night and event for the whole of the hospice."

But Wendy said the walk, which saw the St Luke's Hospice T-shirt clad women walking the streets of Nantwich and Crewe, was only made possible by others' kindness.

She added: "We had fantastic support from Raynet, The Red Cross and Bannatynes Health Club along with 120 loyal volunteers who helped us make the night such a wonderful success."

Last year's midnight walk raised £88,000. The estimated fundraising total for this year's event does not include Gift Aid donations, which are yet to be calculated.