THOUSANDS of women have pounded the streets to raise pounds for St Helena Hospice.

The hospice is now celebrating the milestone of £800,000 raised since the inception of its Midnight Walk.

The St Helena Midnight Walk has seen a total of 5,821 women dress up in tutus, hats and stockings to walk a seven-mile round route from the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester, for the hospice over the past six years.

Revamped for 2015, the age limit for this year’s walk has been lowered to 11 from 14 to allow younger daughters to take part with their mums.

It has also been givenaparty theme, with walkers being invited to turn up in their tiaras and trainers.

One of those taking part in this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, May 23, is a fitness fanatic who has recruited a team of women for the 12km walk.

Julie Palmer is taking part in the walk for the first time and did not want to do it alone.

A qualified aerobics instructor and owner of Just Jules Fitness, she has got a number of members to join her.

Julie, 52, of John Kent Avenue, Colchester, said: “I know from running Just Jules Fitness how important community is and I want to be able to support our local charity.

“We’re hoping to raise as much money as possible for the hospice.”

Julie has set up a challenge for her members called Just Jules Fitness Move 2 Lose.

Across the ten classes she holds each week, she will be providing support, advice and nutritional information to all her members to help them prepare for the Midnight Walk, while helping them to lose weight if they want to.

They are having collection pots in all of their classes, as well as having one member of the group attending all ten classes in a week.

The team will be dressing up on the night for this year's theme and singing their way along the route.

To register at a cost of £15, go to sthelenahospice.org.uk/ midnightwalk15 or fill out a paper registration form available from the St Helena Hospice shops or sites.