By Kelly Eve

Last updated at 10:08, Saturday, 26 June 2010

Hundreds of pink ladies streamed through the streets of Carlisle in the early hours of this morning, raising at least £66,000 for the Eden Valley Hospice.

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Donning pink t-shirts, more than 880 women plodded around the six-mile route of the Midnight Memory Walk encouraged by volunteer marshalls, late-night lorry drivers and revellers.

Kerrie Trickett and Sarah Horseman, who work together at the city’s Marks & Spencer store, won a limo ride for having the best fancy dress. They dressed as cowgirls, complete with inflatable horses.

Neighbours Margaret Millar and Tracey Farish, who live on Cumwhinton Road in Harraby, were dressed as Marilyn Monroe and a hippie.

Margaret, 51, drafted in work colleague Christine Pearce, 50, from Currock, to take part in the event too.

Margaret, who works at the Dolls House Emporium at Houghton Hall Garden Centre, said: “I did the walk last year and my brother George was in the hospice this time last year. Doing the walk, it is a payback for all the help and support it gave him and our family.”

Tracey sought permission from walk organisers to sign up the only “male” to the women-only event.

Tracey, a teaching assistant at Brampton Primary School, brought along the school’s “Brampton Bear” as a treat for pupils.

She said: “I rang up and they gave Brampton Bear his own number – 878. The children take him home overnight and take pictures of what he gets up to on his travels.”

She added: “The hospice guys are great. This is a fantastic event for a fantastic cause. The hospice doesn’t only support patients, it also helps families. I spent a week there when my auntie died and they were so nice to us.”

Carlisle-based construction company Story Group was among the firms with teams in the walk.

Emma Porter, Story’s business development and marketing co-ordinator, said: “We think we’ve raised £600 together for this so far but we’ve got more to go. The Eden Valley Hospice is Story’s chosen charity this year.”

Emma was joined by workmates Rachel Lightfoot, Julie Storey, Jane Roe, Sarah Cash and Lynda Barnes.

First published at 08:57, Saturday, 26 June 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk