YOUNG at heart pensioners are stepping out for a midnight rendezvouz to raise hundreds of pounds for a local hospice in memory of a very dear friend.

Nine members of Cockerton Methodist Ladies Group have signed up to take part in the eighth annual St Teresa’s Hospice Midnight Walk, which takes place on Friday, June 19 in Darlington's South Park.

The ladies, who range in age from 69 to 82, will be walking in memory of fellow ladies group member Christine Johnson, 75, who passed away earlier this year from pancreatic cancer.

Group member Pat Skipsey, 75, of Darlington, who has also been a volunteer at St Teresa’s Hospice for over 20 years, said: “Christine received wonderful end of life care at St Teresa’s and I know that she would be very pleased and proud that we are all walking together to help raise money to support the hospice.

“Many of us have been members of Cockerton Methodist Ladies Group, along with Christine, for almost 50 years and as soon as I asked if we should do the walk in her memory everyone agreed.

“Many people think hospices are sad places but St Teresa’s is such a wonderful happy place, full of love and laughter and they offer such amazing care that I do hope we can raise as much money as possible to help support the work they do.”

Ladies taking part in the walk alongside Pat will include Rita Naylor, Dorothy Creek, Moira Grout, Roz Downing, Judy Masterman, Enid Banham, Irene Hobson and Jean Forster.

Registration costs £10. Enter online at darlingtonhospice.co.uk before Friday (June 12).