The fifth Engage Mutual Midnight Walk  saw walkers complete the quarter marathon route taking in the town’s sights, including Saint Michael’s Hospice on Hornbeam Park, to benefit patients and families in the area living with terminal illness and bereavement.

Early estimates indicate about £90,000 has been raised for the charity through personal and group sponsorship, event sponsorship, registration and the event’s new text donation line. It will all go towards the £3.9m it costs Saint Michael’s to maintain its services each year, more than 80 per cent of which is raised by the community.

This figure will be dependent on participants getting their pledges in to Saint Michael’s and those who submit their pledges before Sunday July 31 will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper including champagne, chocolate and vouchers for afternoon tea for two at Betty’s.

Saint Michael’s Chief Executive, Tony Collins, said: “The Engage Mutual Midnight Walk was once again a fantastic success and an equally fantastic occasion.

“To everyone who participated in the walk, volunteered their time at the event, and donated their money, a big ‘thank you’ for making the Midnight Walk one of the highlights of the year for Saint Michael’s and the community we are here to serve.

“With every step, our walkers were making a real difference to local families living with terminal illness and bereavement and their efforts will allow us to continue to respond to the increasing numbers of people requesting our help.”

It was the first time in the history of Saint Michael’s that people unable to participate in the event were able to text their donations to the charity – a feature plenty of supporters took advantage of.

The event began at the Yorkshire Events Centre and in the two hours leading up to Midnight, the team from Stray FM orchestrated the stage show with music and interviews with walkers, as well as a live Zumba demonstration and high energy warm up courtesy of the fitness gurus from Nuffield Health Club.

Huckleberries were also on face-painting duties and many colourful walkers took to the streets decorated with stars and patterns.

At the finish line, returning walkers received a badge and certificate before tucking into well deserved bacon butties and tea and coffee.

Vanessa’s Book Group from Harrogate took part in the event wearing coloured wigs. Vanessa Paul from the group said: “It’s a good cause and everyone has a connection to it. We admire everything Saint Michael’s does and we wanted to do our bit and have fun as well. The wigs were an easy way to customise our look!”

Peter Ferrol, aged 41 from Harrogate, walked with members of his family in memory of his mother, Norma May Ferrol, who died at Saint Michael’s in August 2009. He said: “The care at Saint Michael’s is so heartfelt and personal, and its role in our family has been great so we wanted to give something back.

“It is important to have a local hospice that is personal to each patient. Saint Michael’s has such a friendly atmosphere, when you’re there you feel like you’re part of the family because they look after everyone so well. The door is always open and you can visit any time.

“It is great to walk for such a wonderful cause and in memory of mum.”

As an extra bonus for this year’s event, participants were asked to guess where the Purple Trainers were hidden along the route. They were placed at West Park Church in the town centre.

The Engage Mutual Midnight Walk was also supported by two media partners; Harrogate Advertiser and 97.2 Stray FM.  

Supporters are still able to text their donations to Saint Michael’s by texting the code MIDW11 and their donation amount to 70070.

For more information and to see the photo gallery visit www.facebook.com/midnightwalk or vist Sira Studio at http://gallery.me.com/sirastudio#100846