A huge thank-you to all 1000 StarWalkers!

The second annual StarWalk took place on Saturday 10th May at Midnight and 1,000 ladies walked 15km (9.3 miles) to raise funds for CancerCare, your local cancer support service. This event is just one of many events to highlight CancerCare's Silver Jubilee Appeal. Last year the event made over £100,000 and this year we are hoping to raise over £120,000 (all of which goes directly back into helping LOCAL cancer patients and their family members based in North Lancashire and South Lakeland.

As StarWalkers arrived at Kendal Leisure Centre, the hall was buzzing with wonderful camaraderie and the spirit of 1,000 ladies getting together in one place for one common, local cause.

The StarWalk was started by Kerrie Gosney, our local ITV weather presenter, who also took part in the walk. First back for their medals and bacon sandwiches were Mrs Anna Stevenson and Mrs Lesley Clough, both from Kendal, who stormed round in an amazing 1hr 45mins !

It was a truly memorable night and the weather could not have been better. Many of the walkers walked in memory of a loved one or were cancer patients themselves and it was a huge personal challenge. One brave lady Kelma Yates had only finished her chemotherapy the day before but was determined to be there on the night.

This event would not have been possible without the support of so many local businesses, can we especially thank Westmorland Shopping Centre, our main sponsor, Lakes Leisure for hosting the event, Lakeland Spring Water for supplying the water bottles, Asda Lancaster & Kendal, Todds Bacon, Willans Bakery and Quiggin's for supplying the Kendal Mint Cake. A big thank has to also go to Cath’s Country Citchen and her staff who worked tirelessly through the night (free of charge) to bring us the delicious bacon butties and drinks. Thanks also to the residents of Kendal who were out in force on the night cheering the ladies on, it all added to the great atmosphere.

Well done to each and every lady who took part and also to all the marshals who did a fantastic job on the night and the many volunteers that worked very hard through the night to ensure all the ladies were registered and fed and watered.. I hope we'll see you at StarWalk 2009!

Helen Hartin, CancerCare