PREPARATIONS for the 2011 Grove House Midnight Walk are well under way and it promises to be the best ever.

The fifth annual walk will take place on Saturday, June 25, and once again will start and finish at Westminster Lodge.

This year the 10-mile walk will start at the earlier time of 10.30pm which organisers say will enable them to create a real Mardi Gras atmosphere on the night.

Jane Divito said: “This year we are looking to have more entertainment and treats for the walkers both before the walk and along the route. The Midnight Walk is about having fun with friends and family. By starting at 10.30pm walkers will still be walking at midnight but will be finished that little bit earlier at round 12.30am which will mean that they can join us for a celebratory drink afterwards.”

She went on: “We are also hoping that more people living along the route will come out to cheer on the walkers as they make their way on the 10 mile route through St Albans.”

The message of the Grove House Midnight Walk still remains very much the same with people from across the community (including men in skirts) coming together in solidarity to support their local hospice.

This year there is no age limit so children who would like to walk with parents can take part too. Over the years there have been a number of mothers and daughters taking part and with an earlier start time it is expected that more family teams will sign up.

Paul Parrish, fundraising director at the hospice, said: “This is my favourite event of the year; there is nothing like watching the hundreds of walkers as they set off up Holywell Hill with their array of flashing ears and glowing lights.

“Whilst this is a great fun event it is all about a very serious cause. Over the past four years Midnight Walkers have raised almost �300,000 for the hospice and many of the walkers have had their own personal reasons for taking part.”

He added: “We have had a number of patients who have joined in the walk who have had a real sense of achievement after completing the course. Many others have had family and friends who have used the services of the hospice including the Hospice at Home Service and the bereavement counselling service.”

This year there will be prizes on offer for the teams and individuals who raise the most money as well as for the best dressed team and best dressed man!

Registration for the Midnight Walk is now open and to register your place visit www.midnightwalk.org or call the events hotline on 01727 731002.