Manchester Midnight Walk: city centre fund-raiser for St Ann’s Hospice - when it is and how to take part

The annual Manchester Midnight Walk in the city centre for St Ann’s Hospice is back in 2023 and fund-raisers are being asked to create a bright, glittering spectacle.

The annual fund-raiser has being going on for well over a decade and participants are once again being asked to come together to complete a 10km route around Manchester.

This year’s event is certain to be colourful and memorable as the theme is “glitter and glow”, while one participant with personal experience of how the hospice cares for people with life-limiting illnesses spoke about the importance of raising money for it.

Here’s what you need to know about when the 2023 edition of the Manchester Midnight Walk is and how you can take part.

When is the Manchester Midnight Walk for St Ann’s Hospice in 2023 and how do I sign up?

The Manchester Midnight Walk for 2023 takes place on Friday 9 June to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice. The event starts at 9pm at Manchester Cathedral and there will be a DJ and entertainment at the central location throughout the night.

Walkers will tackle a 10km course around the city which includes Piccadilly, the Northern Quarter and the Green Quarter. Anyone who signs up by 31 March will be able to pay an early bird price of £15 or £10 each for a group of four or more people. Walkers aged 11 and 17 pay £10 to take part. Participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £100 for the hospice.

If you sign up you’ll get a walker’s information pack including fund-raising tips, a medal and goodie bag, a number to display on the night, entry to the event party and the chance to get some glitter and face painting done.

You can secure your place in the event on the St Ann’s Hospice website or by calling 0161 498 3631.

The hospice wants people to sparkle and shine as this year’s theme is glitter and glow, with the walk likely to be a bright and colourful spectacle making its way through the middle of Manchester.

Sarah Wolstenholme, events fund-raiser at St Ann’s Hospice, said: “We’re extremely excited to be holding the Manchester Midnight Walk at the iconic Manchester Cathedral. This year we’re encouraging everyone to dress up, the possibilities are endless for how glittery and glowing you could be!

“In the last 17 years our Manchester Midnight Walk’s have raised over £2.3 million to help our patients and the families we support. We can’t wait to light up the streets of Manchester with you on Friday 9 June!”

’The hospice staff were brilliant and so lovely’

Last year schoolboy Harley Stevens was keen to take part in the midnight walk but was not able to do so as he had not turned 11. Instead he and his dad James walked the entire route a few hours before the official start time.

James has raised thousands of pounds for various charities while completing challenges including running multiple marathons following the death of his mum Susan aged 60. Susan spent time in St Ann’s Hospice before she died.

James said: “The hospice staff were brilliant and so lovely. It never felt like it was an effort for them to offer that support. When Mum died we decided we wanted to do something and make a positive out of a negative.

“Harley needed to be 11 for the Midnight Walk which is why we set off early, wearing No 1 and No 2 bibs. It was absolutely brilliant walking through the streets of Manchester.”