MORE than 2,000 women raised almost £200,000 for Pendleside Hospice after an eight-mile Midnight Walk around Burnley and Pendle.

The ladies all took part in the fundraiser in the early hours of yesterday morning.

They set off from Turf Moor in Burnley at midnight, before heading towards the Marsden Cross, Brierfield, and into Nelson town centre.

They then headed down Colne Road towards Burnley and back to Turf Moor, where they were rewarded with bacon sandwiches.

The walk featured 2,300 women, all donning flashing bunny ears.

More than £185,000 was pledged on the night but hospice bosses hope the fundraising total will top £200,000 once gift aid and other donations are taken into account.

Kaye Bartle, Pendleside Hospice’s fundraising manager, said: “There were people coming out of their houses clapping and cheering them on as they went past, which was really nice, and the ladies were spurred on by that.”

The quickest competitors made it back to Turf Moor in just over two hours, ready to enjoy bacon butties rustled up by club catering staff.