A MOTHER has described how the care her relatives got from a hospice while suffering from cancer has inspired her to join a midnight walk raise money for the charity.

Joanne Sullivan, 34, of Chester-le-Street, is one of the latest people to join a growing number of women and children signing up to take part in the event for Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice.

Ms Sullivan, of Chester-le-Street, said: "My aunt, Elaine Heron, was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.

"She has had two stays in St Cuthbert's for respite care. I had never known of its existence before then.

"She is still going for treatment and we cannot thank the staff enough - they are a bunch of angels."

She added: "Before, I thought when someone went to hospice that was the end. Sometimes it is, but there is a lot more to it. There are other things they do.

"Apart from fantastic round-the-clock care, they helped my aunt with pain management, and physiotherapy that was tailormade for her needs, because she had such intensive radiotherapy."

Ms Sullivan said that her grandfather, John Wilde, who was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, had spent the last days of his life at the hospice in March.

She said: "He was incredibly frail. He died there, but he died with dignity.

"When I learned about the walk, I decided I wanted to do something for them."

Ms Sullivan has so far persuaded two friends and a neighbour to join her in the walk.

St Cuthbert's officials are hoping that the unusual event will grow into the biggest annual event in its fundraising calendar, and bring in money to support its vital work.

The 10km walk, for women and accompanied children only, will take place on Midsummer Night, Saturday, June 23.

The event will take place at Aykley Heads and will cover two laps of a 5km circuit, which will start and finish at the sports centre.

Elaine Jones, fundraiser at St Cuthbert's Hospice, Park House Road, in Durham City, said: "We have had 150 applications back and have sent out far more application forms."

Last year, the hospice opened a £3.2m in-patient unit after the success of its Key Appeal, supported by The Northern Echo.

However, it still needs to raise £1.8m a year to support its work with people facing life-threatening illnesses. Most of the money comes from public donations.

Ms Jones said the organisers still needed main sponsors for the event, to help pay for floodlighting, toilets and other facilities. Northumbrian Water will be providing bottled water.

Anyone who is interested can contact the hospice's fundraising section, on 0191-386-1170.