HUNDREDS of walkers came together to light up the streets of Kendal town centre on Saturday night in celebration of an annual charity night walk event.

CancerCare’s 10th anniversary StarWalk event saw close to 300 walkers taking on a five or ten kilometre route to help raise thousands of pounds in support of local families affected by cancer.

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This year’s red carpet event kicked off at Kendal Leisure Centre from 7pm with live entertainment including a medley of sing along hits by special guests Jo and Bradley from S Club.

Walkers then formed a giant conga line as they made their way outside to join official event starter Cllr Andy Blackman ahead of the StarWalk countdown.

Cllr Blackman, who took part in the five kilometre event with his wife, said: “It was an honour taking part in the StarWalk this year and very poignant for me as my brother is currently receiving treatment for melanoma. CancerCare are a great local charity and do very important work in the community.”

Kendal’s Jane Reedy, 40, a former English fell running champion, also took part despite her ongoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer of the oesophagus.

Jane and her friends have raised £3,000 in sponsorship for CancerCare in the week just before the event.

Sue Stoll and Sue Tattersall, who take part every year, said: “We do the walk every year in memory of all the friends and family who we’ve lost to cancer. It’s always a brilliant night, we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Mum Sam Scarr, from Kendal, took part with her family and said: “I’ve done the StarWalk a few times but having used CancerCare’s services since my breast cancer diagnosis, it’s even more important. Taking part is a way for me and my family to say ‘thanks’ to CancerCare for all their help and to ensure they can be there for the next family.”

James Bardner, head of the Kirkby Lonsdale office for Sanlam Private Wealth, said: “Ten of us took part including our two dogs. CancerCare is such a great cause and we’re so glad to have supported this year’s StarWalk as main sponsors.”

Teacher Mark Buckland and 20 year eight children from Kirkbie Kendal School also joined in the fun and he said: “We’ve had a great time and I’ve been so impressed with everyone’s fundraising. We will be back next year to try to raise even more.”

Everyone who took part in this year’s StarWalk received a winner’s medal, t-shirt, Kendal Mint Cake and a sausage bap for their efforts.

Christine Wardle, head of income generation at CancerCare, said: “We had a fantastic party to mark the 10th anniversary of our special StarWalk event. Thanks to all the local families who came to support us. Sponsor money is still coming in but we hope to smash our previous total of £20,000 raised last year.”