Hundreds of Pilgrims Hospices supporters lit up the night in a fundraising walk through Canterbury.

Called A Night to Shine, the participants, many wearing glowing accessories, were led off on a 5k walk by the rousing rhythms of the Samba Pelo Mar band.

More than 400 people took part as well as further 1,000 in similar walks taking place at the same time in Ashford and Thanet.

Now organisers are predicting it will raise at least £35,000 for the charity.

The Canterbury event set off from Canterbury Christ Church University with walkers carrying decorated lanterns through the city. They gathered in the Cathedral Cloisters where they placed their tributes to lost loved ones on the Green Court, to music by Jack Jenkins from Your Music School.

Among the walkers were Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield and the Sheriff of Canterbury, Cllr Colin Spooner.

Community fundraising manager for Pilgrims Hospices, Deborah Kellond said: "We are thrilled that our first ever A Night to Shine was so successful.

"We had hoped to bring together at least 1,400 walkers across the county and thanks to all of the generous supporters who came out to get involved in Canterbury we have topped that target.

"Many walked and raised sponsorship in memory of loved ones, others just took part for fun and accessorised their new event t-shirts with lights.

"We’ve already received some really positive feedback, and we look forward to our next fundraiser, the Herne Bay Santa Run in December."

Among those taking part was Donna Lankford from Canterbury, she said:
"Pilgrims Hospices supported my mum Margaret Ballard in 2013. All staff at the Canterbury hospice – from the nurses, to volunteers and cooks – were fantastic. We were even allowed to bring mum’s dog to visit her when she was on the ward. They treated us like family and nothing was too much trouble."

"This is our fourth year walking in memory for her at a Pilgrims event and it feels good to give something back on a night like this.”

The Rotary Club Forest of Blean helped marshall the walkers and Furley Page Solicitors were the sponsors.

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