St John’s Hospice’s popular Moonlight Walk has raised £103,000 to support their vital care.

900 walkers took to the streets in June to support St John’s care across north Lancashire, the South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire.

The Moonlight Walk is St John's Hospice's flagship event, and this year took on a Ruby theme to celebrate the charity’s 40th anniversary, with an additional, shorter route, projections on Lancaster Castle and more to mark this special year.

Myles McHugh, the nephew of Sister Aine Cox, who helped to found St John’s Hospice in 1986, travelled with his wife Eileen from Ireland to take part in the Moonlight Walk in his aunt’s memory.

Walkers take on the St John’s Hospice’s popular Moonlight Walk.

placeholder image — Walkers take on the St John’s Hospice’s popular Moonlight Walk.

Speaking before setting off on the walk, he said: “We found out this year that there was 40th celebrations so we wanted to get involved in some little way.

"We found the Moonlight Walk so Eileen and myself came across and we are absolutely delighted. We visited the hospice yesterday for the first time and we were delighted to meet some of Sr. Aine’s former colleagues; it was absolutely great.”

Eileen added: “There’s such a fabulous atmosphere here this evening, I’m looking forward to the walk and, of course, I knew Sr. Aine; she was just a special person and I’m more than delighted to walk for the hospice!”

The Moonlight Walk was reinvented by St John’s Hospice three years ago, and has since gone from strength the strength, and this year saw the most walkers and the highest total raised.

The Millennium Bridge lights up for the St John’s Hospice’s Moonlight Walk.

Lily Knight, senior fundraiser at St John’s Hospice, said: “We are over the moon that this year's Moonlight Walk has raised such a huge total! £103,000 gross income is a staggering amount, and the support we've had from everyone, whether that's participants, volunteers or local companies getting involved, has been incredibly heartwarming.

“To everyone who walked, sponsored a walker, or gave up their time to volunteer, thank you from the bottom of our hearts – the money raised tonight will support so many patients from Grasmere to Garstang, Morecambe to Sedbergh, during one of the most difficult times anybody can face. You're all stars!"

Next year is the Moonlight Walk’s 20th birthday! The walk returns on Saturday June 12 2027 and tickets are available now at www.sjhospice.org.uk/moon