MORE than 100 people – and a good number of four-legged friends – stepped out from the Great Oaks Hospice in Coleford under the moonlight as planned.

The event was to have taken place two weeks before but was cancelled at the last minute because of the atrocious weather.

On Friday (June 21) the walkers left the hospice under perfect conditions, started off by BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Warren Moore.

He said: “Let’s hear it for the amazing people at Great Oaks.”

The five-mile walk started with a warm-up led by Shelley Gwilliam of Everybody Fitness and then the walkers headed out onto The Gorse, skirted the town centre and headed up Gloucester Road, returning to the hospice via Broadwell, Berry Hill, Five Acres and Mile End where goody bags were waiting.

The hospice’s charity fund-raiser, Debbie Hutchinson, said: “It was a brilliant evening and we think it will have raised about £1,500.”

The theme for the walk was superheroes and princesses and included characters such as Batman, Superman and Captain America alongside a number of regal-looking ladies.

The event was supported by staff and well-wishers – many of whom had reason to be grateful for the end-of-life care given by Great Oaks to family members.

Among them were the family of David Sollars of Ruardean – his wife Jessie, daughters Caroline Whitson, Jo Daunter and Alison Lewis and three of his grandchildren, Ellie and Daisy Whitson and Megan Lewis.

Alison said: “Great Oaks was brilliant for him – they are amazing here.”

Sister Jo Daunter added: “He really looked forward to his days at Great Oaks, he enjoyed the company.”

Also among the walkers was Amanda Bennett, who works for the Coventry Building Society which is supporting Great Oaks as its charity this year.

She said: “Whatever we raise with donations from customers the Coventry will match. and we are hoping to be able to give around £600.”

The hospice has to raise around £600,000 a year to fund its work supporting those affected by life-limiting illness and their families and to do this there are regular fund-raising events.

The next event is a vintage tea party at Westbury Village Hall on Sunday afternoon (June 30) between 1pm and 4pm.

It will include teas, dancing to swing, jive and rock ’n’ roll music and various craft stalls.

There will be more dance at the hospice on Sunday, July 7, with a 12-hour dance-a-thon including line dancing, freestyle and requests, jive, salsa and ending with a party hour.

Just turn up and dance for an hour or for as long as like.

Entry to the dance-a-thon is £10 and snacks and drinks will be provided.