See our pictures of the St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk 2017 as hundreds of women walk around Colchester

Team Loffers on the walk. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

The annual St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk started and finished at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the home of Colchester FC.

Women from all walks of life took part in the three mile or 7.5 mile walk, which raises vital funds for the hospice.

Another of the charity walkers, Sally Thomas. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

Last year it raised around £100,000 for the charity, which helps people with terminal illness, and their families, in north Essex.

Taking part in this year’s 7.5mile route was Wendy Munson, aged 76, and her daughter Lisa, 48, along with friends Judith Ost, 56, and Melissa Oldham, 29.

Ali Hultquist, Sue Dynsdon, Amelia Dynsdon and Leoni Hultquist.Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

Wendy was diagnosed with lung cancer in February last year and is being treated by the hospice. “They are absolutely brilliant,” she said. “They do amazing work. They are very caring and do a brilliant job.”

Wendy took on the course in a wheelchair, which was donated by the Short Term Wheelchair Loan Charity.

Nia Fortuna. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

Daughter Lisa said: “I decided to take part because of my mum and then she said she wanted to do it as well.

“The hospice are a great charity who do so much. We are doing the 7.5mile because if you do it, you have to do it properly.”

Helen Bladen. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

This year’s run was blessed with the perfect weather, with walkers setting off on a warm night at around 10.30pm.

Taking part were a team of friends called the Booby Babes, with Jean Lynch, 42, Hailey Adams, 23, Claire Gillhooly. 42, and Zita Skews, 38. They did the 7.5mile route.

Sue Russell, Julie Johnson and Margaret Luck. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

Jean said: “I have sadly had few friends go to the hospice, which is why I am taking part. They need every penny and are an amazing charity. The is our first time doing the walk.”

Hoping to complete the 7.5mile route were Susan Hibbert, 61, and Linda Mayman, 58, who were walking in memory of friend Graham Moore. The friends worked with Graham at Colchester Borough Housing.

Angela and Janet Penn with Dense Rollings. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

“It is in memory of our friend, who died two years ago,” said Susan. “He went to the hospice and we know how incredible a charity they are.”

Before the walkers set off, St Helena chief executive Mark Jarman-Howe thanked them for their support, saying the cast majority of their funding comes from fundraisers.

Teresa Nel and Tanya Matthews. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

The hospice serves 10,000 families every year.

Maddie Lanham, Hasseena Mungroo, Charlotte Mungroo and Janet Leech. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)