Walkers have raised an incredible £55,500 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice from last month's Starlight Hike.

The funds from the hike could pay for 18 hospice nurses for a month. That's more than enough to pay for one nurse to provide a month of care in each of the inpatient hospice care beds.

Matt Reay, events fundraiser at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: "This is the largest amount of money our Starlight Hike event has ever raised. It will make a massive difference to those families we care for and support. As a charity we rely on fundraising to keep our care services going. Thanks to all those walkers who turned out to be with us on the night."

The annual 10k night time walk around Cheltenham takes walkers from St Edwards Prep School in Charlton Kings to the hospice grounds.

Nikki Moss, customer service manager from Capita, said, "We were delighted to be this year's main sponsor of Starlight Hike. Working with representatives from the hospice in the build-up to this event was truly inspirational, and an absolute pleasure - the professionalism, passion and commitment on show at all times was a credit to every member of staff and volunteer, and was an excellent fit with our own corporate values."

"Many of my colleagues took part in the hike itself, as the hospice holds special memories for a large number of our people here in the Cheltenham office, so for us as a business it was very important that we were giving something back to our people, as well as to the whole community in sponsoring the event."