SATURDAY (June 18) saw 580 people don pink wigs, cowboy hats, feather boas, tiaras and pink Moonlight Walk T-shirts to walk the streets of St Helens and Knowsley to celebrate Willowbrook Hospice's tenth annual Moonlight Walk.

Starting and finishing Willowbrook's new building, The Living Well, walkers got in the mood with entertainment provided by DJ Terryoake, dancers from the Jan Williams Theatre School and the Anvil Street Drummers.

Just before the start of the walk, the sky turned into a sea of pink as people remembered and celebrated the lives of their loved one with a balloon release.

After a lively 'glo-fit' warm-up led by Heatone Fitness and a countdown from Willowbrook patron and BBC North West newsreader Roger Johnson, the walkers were off, taking on either a 12km route or a 'mini moonlight' of 6km.

On their return, every walker received a well-earned Moonlight Walk medal, a brew and a bacon butty.

Councillor Michael Haw took part in the walk, wearing pink high-heeled shoes, after already having completed a charity event earlier in the day.

Jane Ball, senior media sales executive at the St Helens Star, took part in the walk with her 10-year-old son George.

She said: "The walk this year was even better than usual - setting off from the new Living Well, the shop and cafe were open; everyone was in good spirits especially with the weather holding out for us all.

"I did it with my son George, this was his third year and he loves it.

"George made us both power walk all the way and we were the first back from the 12k route."

Nichola Saunders, head of fundraising at Willowbrook Hospice said: "This year's Moonlight Walk was extra special - not only because it was the walk's 10th anniversary but also because it's the first time we've hosted the event from our new Living Well building.

"The atmosphere on the night was amazing and it was lovely to see so many people coming together to remember their loved ones and to help raise much-needed funds to ensure that we as a hospice can continue to care and support our patients and their families.

"On behalf of Willowbrook I'd like to thank every single person who was involved with the event, whether as a walker, a steward or a volunteer."

Willowbrook Hospice has been open since 1997 and costs over £4 million a year to run, the majority of which needs to be raised through the effort of the communities which it serves.

Diane Humphreys, senior fundraiser at Willowbrook, thanked a number of organisations for their support, including Barrs soft drinks, St Helens Council, Morrisons Baxters Lane, The Olive Grove, Masterprint, NSG, Nijman Zeetank, Phil Durrans and Palletland.

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