CLOSE to £30,000 was raised at this year’s Kemp Midnight Walk, which saw more than 400 women light up the Wyre Forest.

Each participant carried a glow stick as they walked the three-and-a-quarter mile course from the visitor centre.

Kate Wilkinson, Kemp fundraiser, said: “It was a great night and the weather was brilliant.

“We were delighted with the numbers – 402 ladies took part in the event, which is 22 per cent up on last year.

“The fundraising team did a wonderful job and we look forward to next year’s event being even better.”

A Zumba warm-up was carried out before the walk to help the participants get ready while musical entertainment was provided by Birmingham-based rock group High Horses.

Matt Povey, band member, said: “It is a great cause and we were thrilled to help out.”

The walk is the largest annual event the hospice holds and this year’s fundraising total was able to surpass the amount raised last year.

Money raised will go towards providing free-of-charge support and specialist care to patients, families and carers dealing with life-limiting illness and bereavement.

Kemp Hospice needs to raise £940,000 annually to continue its services, the majority of which comes from donations and community support.