A POPULAR nighttime walk in support of Manorlands will take place again this year.

The Starlight Hike, which has become a major fixture on the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice’s fundraising calendar, is planned for Saturday, October 12.

Participants will assemble at Oxenhope Station, where there will be a warm-up and entertainment including stalls and music.

A special Starlight Express train provided by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway will then take the hikers to Oakworth, where the ten-kilometre marshalled walk – following a route through villages, countryside and the Manorlands grounds – will begin.

The main event sponsor, for a fourth year, is Stirk Lambert and Co Accountants.

Catherine Hill, partner at the firm, said: “We are very pleased to give our backing to the Starlight Hike for another year.

“Manorlands is such an important part of the community and we love being able to support it with this fantastic event, which brings everyone together.”

Hayley Ibbotson, senior community fundraiser at the hospice, says the event gives people the opportunity to remember loved ones whilst walking under the stars and supporting Manorlands.

She added: “People really enjoy the feelgood atmosphere and the shared emotion of remembering loved ones with other walkers who are doing the same.

“We’re always looking to improve the event and we received some great feedback regarding the new medals and T-shirts last year, so we’re working on bringing those back along with a few changes to make it another fantastic night.

“This is the biggest event in the Manorlands fundraising calendar and the money raised by participants through sponsorship is absolutely vital to our care services, both at the hospice and in the community, being able to continue.”

Tickets are now available at sueryder.org/manorlands/starlighthike.

There is an early-bird offer of £12 for adults and £5 for under-16s.

Following a successful trial last year, people can again guarantee a place on the first train of the evening by selecting the Early Bird Express option.

For more information, contact Hayley on 01535 640431 or Hayley.ibbotson@suerydercare.org.

All Manorlands services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open. Only a small part of the cost is covered by statutory funds.