ORGANISERS have issued an urgent plea for more women to sign up for their landmark summer event and make sure they do not walk alone.

The deadline for entries to this year's women-only Midnight Walk has been extended in a bid for participant numbers to reach the 1,000 mark and help St Luke's Hospice raise vital funds.

Jane Thomson, head of event management at St Luke's, said: "Maybe people think 'St Luke's have got lots of money, look how much they make' but we need every penny of that.

"We have very fixed costs of £4 million a year and if we don't make those costs then it's not a case that we haven't any jam, we haven't got our bread and butter."

The Midnight Walk, which is in its 11th year, usually raises around £200,000 thanks to the 1,500 women that pound 13.1 miles between Nantwich and Crewe and back at midnight.

So far this year, 870 women have signed up for the challenge.

"I would love to get it to the magic 1,000," Jane said.

"If you've done it before, can you do it one more time?

"If you've never done it can you consider it?

"It's never too late, we're not closing it and it's still open to entries.

"Even if people can only raise £10 or £20, just a little bit of sponsorship would help.

"Don't let us walk alone."

The Midnight Walk takes place at midnight on June 27.

The event has two distances to choose from, the Full Moon of 13.1 miles or the Half Moon of 6.5miles.

Registration and pre-walk entertainment start at 10pm.

The entry fee of £17.50 includes a t-shirt, medal and refreshments.

For more information visit stlukes-hospice.co.uk/events/midnightwalk2015 or ring 01606 555815.