Thousands of ‘Manchester bees’ set to swarm on city centre

Emma Jeffries and friends Lynsey Conlon, Claire Wilkinson, Emma Riley and Emma Jeffries

The streets of Manchester will be a hive of activity this April as thousands of people – and bees – take on a 10km moonlit challenge in support of St Ann’s Hospice.

St Ann’s flagship fundraising event, the Manchester Midnight Walk, is back for its thirteenth year, and will take place on Friday, April. 26.

The event starts and finishes at Manchester Cathedral, and this year, walk organisers are encouraging as many people as possible to embrace its ‘bee theme’.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said: “The Manchester Midnight Walk has pulled in crowds every year since it began and it has a real party atmosphere.

“Every year, many participants come along in fancy dress, and we’re encouraging that again this year too, by inviting people to come along as bees.

“The Midnight Walk is famous for its yellow and black colour theme, so it seems fitting to have as many bees as possible buzzing around the city centre to raise money for our patients.

Don’t worry if fancy dress isn’t your thing though, please do still come along and join us – we’d love to see as many people there as possible.”

The walk has raised more than £2m since it began thirteen years ago and the money raised helps St Ann’s to continue providing their specialist care to local patients and their families.

One family member who will be there this year is Emma Jeffries, who will be walking with her friends to support the hospice.

She said: “We’ll be walking in memory of my mum Yvonne who died in St Ann’s Hospice on Christmas Day.

“Mum was only at St Ann’s in Heald Green for two days, but we want to raise money for the hospice because of the way they looked after our family in such difficult circumstances.

“The care and dignity the staff showed to my mum was amazing, and we were looked after so well as a family during her time there, and after her passing too. The whole team was amazing.

“I’m going to be raising money to give something back, and I’m proud to support such a fantastic cause.”

The walk starts at midnight, and participants will take on a 10km loop which starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral. Warm-up entertainment starts at 9pm, with music, disco and refreshments available before the walk begins.

Many walkers take part in memory of lost loved ones, whilst others join in simply for a night of fun and fundraising.

Interested walkers can sign up to take part in the 10km moonlit stroll now, by visiting the website www.mmwalk.org.uk or calling 0161 498 3631.  A special early bird rate is available for keen walkers who book their place early.