We’ve announced the headline sponsor for our Manchester Midnight Walk

Betfred has been announced as the headline sponsor for this year’s Manchester Midnight Walk.

Thousands of people will be hitting the city streets for our flagship fundraising event on Friday 27^th April, which comprises a night of fun and entertainment, culminating in the 10km sponsored moonlit stroll.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, explained: “We’re a charity and need to raise thousands of pounds every day to ensure we can continue to provide care to our patients and their families from our three sites and range of community and outreach services.

“We can only continue to do so thanks to the generosity of local people, and we’re incredibly thankful to Betfred for agreeing to be our headline sponsor for this year’s Manchester Midnight Walk.  It means that we can hopefully raise as much money as possible on the night to help the people St Ann’s cares for.

“Fred and everyone at Betfred have been so generous in their time and support of the hospice in recent months and years, and it’s always great to be working alongside them – especially on the most exciting night in our annual fundraising calendar.  Huge thanks to all of them for their support on behalf of our patients and their families.”

Natalie Bradford from Betfred, said: “St Ann’s Hospice is an amazing charity doing fantastic work for our local communities every day.  For Betfred to be a part of their biggest fundraiser is an honour and something we are really looking forward to, both as sponsors and participants! We look forward to working with the team at St Ann’s and meeting all of the fabulous fundraisers on the night.”

The walk is celebrating its twelfth anniversary this year, and there’s a brand new venue for the pre-walk warm up – the iconic Manchester Cathedral.

Eamonn added: “There will be a cheesy disco theme to get people fully limbered up for the sponsored walk, with special guests and lots of fun.  We encourage people to get to the Cathedral early – we open at 9pm – so they can soak up the atmosphere, grab some refreshments, and generally enjoy themselves!”

Our event has pulled in the crowds every year since it began, creating a unique late-night party atmosphere and raising over £2 million for the hospice in that time.

Interested walkers can sign up to take part in the 10km moonlit stroll now, by clicking here or calling 0161 498 3631.  A special early bird rate is available for keen walkers who book their place early.

Eamonn added: “As one of the oldest adult hospices in the country, we’re really fortunate that for almost half a century Mancunians and Salfordians alike have been rallying around in support of our patients. The Manchester Midnight Walk is a perfect example of that.  It’s amazing to see so many people out in force passing local landmarks to raise money for local people.”

Many walkers take part in memory of lost loved ones, whilst others join in simply for a night of fun and fundraising.