Norwich charity walk raises more than �65,000

The Starlight Walk saw people hike 13 miles around the city's ring road at midnight on June 18 and collect sponsorship from friends and family.

The cash has been counted and over �65,000 will now be used by the charity to make life easier for those living with cancer in Norfolk.

The figure is a big jump on the �49,984 raised last year and brings the total over the event's five-year history to �268,000.

Jenni Maxwell, area fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'The atmosphere on the night really was amazing and it was heart-warming and uplifting to see such fantastic support for Macmillan from so many local people.'

'We are delighted that over �65,000 was raised from the event and every penny of this will be used to support the work of Macmillan Cancer Support in Norfolk.

'Thank you to everyone for taking part and helping to raise an incredible amount of money, they should be very proud of the amount they have managed achieve together,' she added.

The money will help to fund a variety of services for local people living with cancer, including a Macmillan upper gastro-intestinal nurse specialist and lung cancer nurse specialist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, as well as grants for individual patients.

Plans for next year's walk are already under way and the date has been set for June 24 2011.

The sums raised by the event can make a huge difference to the charity and the people of Norfolk.

Through the support of sponsors, including Bennetts Electrical, every penny of the money raised by walkers goes directly to Macmillan and is not spent on organisational costs.

Just �57,300 can pay for 10 Macmillan palliative care nurses for a month. They help terminally ill people and their families or carers cope with the diagnosis and support them so they can continue with their normal activities.

Are you organising an event for charity? Call reporter Matthew Sparkes on 01603 772439 or email matthew.sparkes@archant.co.uk