ACTOR Joe McGann will be starting off the 2010 Grove House Midnight Walk and then walking alongside his wife, Tamzin. Joe is a prolific actor who is probably most famous for his role as Charlie Burrows in the sitcom The Upper Hand and Tamzin teaches yoga

ACTOR Joe McGann will be starting off the 2010 Grove House Midnight Walk and then walking alongside his wife, Tamzin.

Joe is a prolific actor who is probably most famous for his role as Charlie Burrows in the sitcom The Upper Hand and Tamzin teaches yoga classes in St Albans.

Paul Parrish, fundraising director of Grove House, made the announcement at last week's launch of the fourth annual walk in aid of the St Albans-based hospice on Saturday, June 26.

He went on to thank everyone who had helped to make the Midnight Walk such a huge success for Grove House - in 2009 the walkers raised just over �90,000 which equated to the funding of the four hospice nurses who provide expert care and support for patients suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

A hundred men donned skirts and dresses to join the women on the walk last year and one of them, Quentin Keeling, completed the 10-mile walk in heels. Once again the event will be open to any man willing to take part in women's clothing and men are also invited to sign up as volunteers and help marshal on the night.

During the launch, guests were given a sneak preview of the first-ever Midnight Walk dance by locally-based team Popdance. They have created a short dance to the appropriately-named Here Come the Girls which walkers will be encouraged to join in with as they cross the starting line.

Once again the Midnight Walk is being supported by local businesses including Willows Farm which is sponsoring the event for a second year, Martin Treasure estate agents and ILM Designs with its design and print skills.

Wheathampstead-based contemporary jewellery designer Rachel Jeffery has again agreed to design the gift that will be presented to the walkers on completion of their 10-mile walk.

Blue Feather Photography, Simmons Bakers, Edwards Fitness, Fuchsia Pink and Cuthberts Toys are among many other local businesses supporting the event.

Paul commented: "The Midnight Walk is my favourite fundraising event of the year. Every year the sight of hundreds of women all dressed for the occasion, walking in solidarity for a cause that is so obviously close to their hearts, brings a lump to the throat.

"More importantly the women (and last year men in skirts) have raised in total over �250,000 over the past four years for the hospice."

Registration for the 10-mile Midnight Walk which includes a stop along the way at the fire station is now open. To register visit www.midnightwalk.org, pick up a registration form from the hospice or call the event hotline on 01727 731002 to enter over the phone.