8.30pm - I’m a volunteer for the hospice too, so I’m busy from the start, carrying tables, water and goodie bags to different check points, putting signs on lampposts and selling flashing bunny ears. My group of ten ladies start to arrive, donning their bright pink cowboy hats. 

10.30pm – The stage and microphones are ready, the start line is set up and the place is really beginning to buzz! People are already arriving to register – including two ladies dressed as Bill and Ben, with plant pots around their ankles.  You can not help but smile. 

11.30pm - I join my party, all dressed in pink t shirts, pink hats and having a glass of champagne. We try to follow the warm-up with members of Xscape gym (who had some lovely six-packs on show for the ladies!)  

Nearly midnight - We turn around and the sight that hits you is amazing. Five hundred women dressed in bright pink t-shirts with flashing bunny ears. What a piece of history to be apart of.  Everyone is happy, laughing and joking and ready to walk for the hospice.

As we set off, we pass by pubs and people come out to cheer, clap and shout their support. We snake around towards Asda, to the sound of car horns and shouts of encouragement. The police car makes us feel comfortable and confident, and they’re a big help in stopping the traffic for us to cross the road.

12.30am - On past the old Whitwood Tech and down hill towards Whitwood. The pace is pretty swift. The sight of all these ladies snaking down the road with bunny ears flashing is amazing and the atmosphere is wonderful.  

We reach the Rising Sun where the landlady offers us a drink. On round Whitwood, words of encouragement from our friends, husbands and sons.  Then the uphill stretch back to Whitwood Tech.  It’s pretty tough and is where the younger ones in our group disappear, telling us oldies we are walking too slowly!  

1.30am - At the half way point we welcome a cuppa and a comfort break.  My friend, Trish, finds a blister on her toe, but like the trooper she is she rubs on some Germolene and we’re on our way.

We see the ladies in front who have crossed the bridges and are on their way back. I’m envious that we still have a mile before we’re at the same stage but a few cars pass shouting “come on girls” and my spirits are lifted.

2.15am - Across the new bridge, where a kind fellow who’s a little worse for wear tucks a five pound note into my friend’s hand and says “well done”, and we’re on to Saville Road, where we catch up with Bill and Ben!  

My walking buddy, Trish gets tired and our pace slows. The others break away to prevent themselves stopping, while Trish and I plod on. We reach Smawthorne Lane and the pain and tiredness kick in, but we do not want our husbands to see us weakening, so we smile and puffed up to the top of Lisheen Avenue.

3.30am - Nearly there! Past the Chinese and I find it difficult even going up and down the kerb – like I’m drunk, though of course it’s just tiredness. Trish and I are just about holding each other up, we see the lovely arch that says ‘Finish’.

3.45am - What an achievement! What a buzz!  We get our medals and a welcome ‘well done’. The thought of a burger is very tempting, but I don’t have the energy to go to MacDonalds. Maybe we can move it nearer the finish line next time...

4am - Our husbands meet us as the last ladies pass the checkpoint they are manning, and we drive home to the sounds of the birds singing.  

To anyone who has done the walk I would say a great big well done. To anyone who has not, I would say "join in!" Be part of something magical and make your heart swell with achievement and warmth, that you have done something wonderful for someone else.

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