By Leicester Mercury | Posted 2 April, 2012
They met at sundown on Saturday at the King Power Stadium for the annual Twilight Walk – a six-mile meander around the city in aid of LOROS hospice, in Groby Road.
Before the walk started, each of the 1,200 walkers released a helium-filled pink balloon with messages to loved ones who had died.
Susie Lambert, 26, of Countesthorpe, had written a note to her mum, Maggie, who died aged 46.
She said: "It's quite emotional but it is great event and it's all for a good cause.
"My mum died when I was 16, and this is nice way to honour her memory."
Friend Nicola Rollings released a balloon with a message to her granddad, John Wilson, who died two years ago.
The 28-year-old, who lives in the city centre, said: "It's a really nice atmosphere and although it's quite sad because we're remembering loved ones there's still a really positive feeling."
The walk took the women past De Montfort University, the cathedral, Curve and Victoria Park.
Amanda Burgess, 45, of Leicester Forest East, was part of a group of 12 from South Charnwood High School and Shelthorpe College, Loughborough. Between them, the group had collected more than £300.
Amanda, whose aunt was cared for at LOROS, said: "It's a fantastic cause and it is almost completely self-funded so we need to do as much as we can to support it.
"It looked after my auntie. It's a really nice place and very peaceful and gives the patients dignity."
Joanna Wass, 36, was one of five staff from Delta Global Source, a packaging company in Enderby.
She said: "We're trying to raise £10,000 this year for five charities because it's the fifth year of the company.
"It's the first time we've done the Twilight Walk and it seems like a great event. Everyone is here for the same reasons – to remember loved ones, have fun and support LOROS."
The event is expected to raise about £30,000. More than 80 volunteers helped on the day.
Organiser Christian Weikert-Picker said: "The Twilight Walk has grown a lot over the past few years and we expect it to keep getting bigger.
"We could only accommodate 1,200 people because that's all we'd budgeted for but we could have had at least 1,600.
"The hospice has helped so many people over the years and most people here have got some connection with it and want to do their part and give something back."
