A sparkling night-time walk that saw the local community come back together to celebrate the lives of loved ones has raised an incredible £63,000 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Starlight Hike - Cheltenham, sponsored by professional services firm Capita, saw 700 local residents complete a 10k walk under the stars last month.

Wearing purple t-shirts adorned with the names of loved ones no longer with us, families and friends made strides in their honour - raising vital funds for Sue Ryder's palliative care and bereavement support.

Starlight Hike - Cheltenham started at St Edward's Prep School, Charlton Kings, with a performance from the Got 2 Sing choir and a mass warm-up session led by Clubbercise.

Walkers took part in a 10km walk around Cheltenham. Many wore fancy dress, flashing deely boppers, neon face paint and carried glow sticks, lighting up the dark autumn night.

One especially poignant part of the evening saw the hikers pass through the tranquil grounds of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, which was lit with festoon lights. They were serenaded by the sounds of the Tapestry Chamber Choir, and placed a dedication on a wall of stars in memory of those special to them.

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice has confirmed today it will hold the event again next year - and encouraged people to save the date of Saturday 15th October 2022.

Starlight Hike was sponsored by Capita for the fourth year running - and the company has just announced it will also sponsor the event for a fifth time, in 2022. Since Capita first started sponsoring Starlight Hike, more than £300,000 has been raised for local families needing Sue Ryder's care.

Anna Cummings, from the Capita Cheltenham charity committee, said: "It was fantastic to have the opportunity to do something active for a great cause after all the restrictions of lockdown. Sue Ryder is an incredible charity and it was a privilege to volunteer before the event and to take part in the walk. It was an exceptionally well-organised event and a moving experience.

"We're looking forward to sponsoring and taking part in the event again next year, and continuing to raise the vital funds that allow Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice to care for so many of our loved ones at the end of their lives."

Paul Fathers, head of St Edward's Prep School, added: "We are delighted that the Sue Ryder team were able to make use of the extensive grounds at St Edward's Prep School for their Starlight Hike - Cheltenham event. We are so pleased that the evening was a great success."

Elise Hoadley, service director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: "A huge thank you to everyone involved with our Starlight Hike - Cheltenham, from all of us here at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. It was a night to remember and an opportunity to come together to celebrate and talk about loved ones who are no longer with us.

"We are thrilled to announce our wonderful walkers have shined brightly and raised an amazing £63,000. This will help us to continue to be there for local families when it matters, and provide our compassionate palliative care and bereavement support in our hospice and out in the Gloucestershire community. We would also like to say a special thank you to our sponsor, Capita. It's thanks to your kind on-going support - and the support of those in our local area - that we are able to fill people's last days with love.

"We hope everyone will be able to join us next year to walk under the stars once more - please put the date of Saturday 15th October 2022 in your diary."

Find out more about Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice at sueryder.org/leckhampton.