MORE than £50,000 was raised by hundreds of walkers who took part in the annual Starlight Walk, in aid of Prospect Hospice.

The event continued to prove to be one of the Wroughton hospice’s biggest fundraising events of the year at the weekend, as it matched totals from previous years, with more than 400 people taking part.

A special highlight from this year’s walk was a change in route, which took fundraisers right by the front of Prospect Hospice itself, which proved very special for those involved.

There was also a colourful end to the walk, with various illuminations lighting up Old Town’s Town Gardens after the 10 or 15 kilometres walked.

Genevieve Arney, events fundraiser with Prospect Hospice, said: “This year we were able to bring the route right past the front of the hospice in Wroughton, which was very special for a lot of our walkers.

“Towards the very end the walk passed through Town Gardens, which was filled with glowing balloons in the trees, an illuminated woodland canopy and brightly coloured glowing butterflies.

“Walkers said this gave them the last boost they needed to get to the finish.”

A spokesman for the hospice said the event continues to be its biggest of the year and hopes are high once again it will pull yet more vital funding for the charity in 2016.

The funding is pushed directly into the costs of nursing care at the hospice and to support people in the community.

The spokesman said: “All of the funds raised at our annual Starlight Walk go directly towards supporting our nursing care costs.

“This means we’re able to provide more care and support to people in the community wherever they feel most comfortable.

“That can beat the hospice in Wroughton, in their own homes and at local care homes, and at the Great Western Hospital through our palliative care team based there.”

All of those taking part on Saturday were encouraged to wear anything colourful or neon for the moonlit walk.

As is tradition, the walkers did not need a second invitation and they well and truly lit up the route around Swindon and Wroughton.

Genevieve said: “The night went really well. We were very lucky and had perfect weather.

“The walkers were even able to sit outside with a cup of tea when they got back from the walk, although at one point it did look a little like a neon fairy convention had just kicked out.”