ORGANISERS of the Walk to Remember marking the 25th anniversary of St Mary’s Hospice, Ulverston, say the event could have raised close to £50,000.

The walk, which included men for the first time, attracted 568 walkers split between the 11km ladies’ only walk and a 25km all-comers’ distance.

The charity said an early tally of the money pledged to walkers, so far, showed that the eighth annual sponsored memory walk was set to raise in the region of £45,000 for the hospice.

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary, the hospice opened its Walk to Remember Extra (25km route) up to men for one night only, while the original 11km walk remained a ladies only affair.

Both walks started and finished at Hawcoat Park in Barrow, with the Mayor of Barrow, Coun Marie Derbyshire, officially setting the participants on their way.

Sarah Gardner, events fundraiser at St Mary’s Hospice, said: “On behalf of the fundraising team at St Mary’s Hospice I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who either took part, marshalled, provided first aid cover, helped with making arrangements or who helped with registration of walkers.

“We were delighted that we had almost 600 walkers taking part and we appreciate so much all the support that we received from everyone involved and the many people who sponsored them.”

Walkers are now being urged to hand their sponsorship money in to St Mary’s Hospice before Monday, September 1, for a chance to be entered into a free prize draw to win a Kindle.