AROUND 2,000 women stayed up late last night to take part in Pendleside Hospice’s Midnight Walk.

During the event, thousands of flashing bunny ears shone through the gloom as women completed the marshalled eight mile trek, from Burnley to Nelson and back again.

Others wore pink cowboy hats, along with tutus and dayglo wigs, as they set off from Turf Moor.

Each with their own memory of a departed loved one, or friend, who had been cared for at the hospice, the determined trekkers gave up their Saturday night, and a hefty chunk of Sunday morning, to help raise £200,000 for the Colne Road centre.

Amongst them was Audrey Barnett whose husband Tom died at the Reedley-based hospice in May 2009, after suffering from lung and bone cancer since November 2008.

During the latter stages of his illness he was treated and nursed by hospice staff at his home in Barnoldswick.

The mother-of-two, who hopes to raise £2,000, said: "All the staff were very caring towards Tom and they made the last part of his life a lot easier and they would always go the extra mile to ensure that he was comfortable and had everything he wanted including allowing his dogs to visit him.

"Tom had real faith in the staff. They are incredibly professional and caring people."

Click on the link below for our photo gallery from the event.