HUNDREDS of people have helped raise more than £15,000 for a North-East hospice as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham, held a midnight walk to mark the important anniversary in the organisation’s history.

More than 300 people took part in the event, which took place in the city on Saturday night.

Jade McArde, senior community and events coordinator said: “It was absolutely incredible to see everyone dressed up, having fun and walking together under the light of the moon.

“Midnight Walk is such a special event and all these people coming out to support St Cuthbert’s on our 30th anniversary is just wonderful.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took part and all our brilliant volunteers who helped to make the event possible.

“The need for St Cuthbert’s services is growing all the time.

“Whether it’s people who need support to live with their illness, people staying in our hospice at the end of their lives, or children, teenagers, and adults who need help coming to terms with the loss of someone special, the money raised tonight will make a real difference to the lives of local families – and ensure that we can be here for the next 30 years and beyond.”

On the night, entertainment was provided by Smooth Radio, local singer David Stoker and a zumba warm-up was led by Mandy Fenwick Fitness.

Before the walkers set off, on either the 5K or 10K route, they took part in 30 seconds of quiet remembrance with their phones and torches in the air, followed by 30 seconds of celebration.

Taylor’s Butchers and Costa Durham provided refreshments for people when they reached the finish line. Among those taking part was Adele Anderson, from Fencehouses, who also took part in the last midnight walk in 2014, on the evening after her mother died at the hospice.

Ashleigh Lynn had cancer for six years but in June 2014 was told she was too ill to receive further treatment. She died soon after.

Ms Anderson said: “When my mam was admitted as an in-patient she received such wonderful care. The hospice was there for everyone and looked after us all. They helped to bring peace and made everything easier.

“My mam passed away on the morning of midnight walk 2014. We had already planned to take part, mam had even sponsored us, so we decided to walk as planned, to pay tribute to my mam and to honour the tremendous support we were given by St Cuthbert’s.

“It was really emotional but once we were there it was worth it. It was a wonderful celebration of her life. It’s really hard to take part again but it’s a great night out.”