Sunny skies and Heartfelt memories as 1,300 join St Luke's Midnight Walk

12th July 2026/Gabby Nott: Nearly 1,300 people took part in Midnight Walk 2026; Walkers honoured the memories of loved ones while raising vital funds for our compassionate care; They chose from four city circuits ranging from 2.5 to 13.5 miles, with an especially magical 5-mile route;

Families and friends shared personal stories of the support they received from the hospice

Organisers thanked generous volunteers and sponsors Michael Spiers

Nearly 1,300 kind-hearted walkers took to the sunny streets of the city on Friday 10 July night for Midnight Walk 2026, remembering special family members and friends and raising vital funds to support the compassionate end of life care St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth delivers in the local community.

Your highlights from Midnight Walk 2026 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlUY186_LsM&t=3s

Solo, in pairs and in groups large and small, the crowd – a record for recent years – gathered at Home Park Stadium’s Fan Zone to take part in the heartwarming, family-friendly, annual event as evening fell on another roasting hot summer day.

Despite the heat, it was a night of compassion, fun and memory making

Sporting vibrant pink official T-shirts, and a glorious array of glittery accessories, they prepared to set off on a choice of routes – 2.5, five, 7.5 and 13.5 miles – designed to cater for all ages and abilities. Many had written the names of the loved ones they were honouring on the backs of their T-shirts, while some also pinned precious photographs.

A lively musical warm-up led by the Clubbercise Crew added a fun festival atmosphere as walkers limbered up for what is always a poignant but uplifting challenge, sponsored once again by Plymouth business Michael Spiers.

Midnight Walk 2026 was a sell out

A SEA OF PINK TAKES TO THE STREETS

The three longer routes created a colourful parade through Central Park and down to the Hoe, via Western Approach and Millbay, while the 13.5-milers completed a circuit through the city to Embankment and back to their starting point via Derriford roundabout, the five and 7.5 mile entrants looped back up to Argyle and beyond via Armada Way and North Cross. Setting out last, the 2.5-mile walkers swung right out of Home Park, marching up Outland Road to Manadon Roundabout before retracing their steps.

Our Guiding Lights illuminated lighthouses provided an extra special touch for our walkers

GUIDING LIGHTS ADD EXTRA SPARKLE

An extra touch of magic on the five-mile route took walkers past 13 of the 41 stunning lighthouse sculptures that form St Luke’s Guiding Lights, the charity’s recently launched art trail and fundraiser that runs until September – all lit up for one night only. Find out more about Guiding Lights here.

Cath Sinclair and her sister-in-law, Laura

SAYING THANK YOU FOR HOSPICE CARE

Just a couple of weeks after her mum Mary Brewer’s funeral, Cath Sinclair and her sister-in-law, Laura, were proud to stride out in her honour at Midnight Walk to raise funds and say thank you for her care.

“Mum was at the hospice for two weeks and the care we all received was just amazing. I cannot fault the tenderness and dignity we were shown. Nothing was too big or too small to ask for,” said Cath. “St Luke’s is part of our family now. I cannot praise them enough.”

Laura, whose children are receiving bereavement support visits from St Luke’s Patient and Family Support Service team, added: “I’d heard about Midnight Walk, and I saw it featured on the big TV screen when we were at the hospice. The day she passed I went on the website and signed up. So far, we have raised more than £1,400, including donations from the funeral.”

A group of 8-year-olds from Montpelier School

YOUNG SUPPORTERS STEP UP FOR ST LUKE’S

A group of eight-year-old friends from Plymouth’s Montpelier School persuaded their mums to bring them out for Midnight Walk’s five-mile challenge.

“It is such a lovely event and the girls really wanted to do it. Their school has also decorated a little lighthouse for St Luke’s Guiding Lights, and they are obsessed about that too,” said Steph Halls. Her father, Martin Drein, was looked after at home by Rowcroft Hospice, which covers the Torbay area.

“I know how vital hospice care is. For my dad it gave him the right to die the way he wanted, at home, and that made it easier for the kids to go and see him.”

The mums from Montpelier School

Fellow school mum Bethan Phillips spoke about the care her father, Howell, received at St Luke’s five-and-a-half years ago.

“We think the world of St Luke’s. Dad was in the hospice during Covid and they made it so much more bearable for all of us.”

Walking in memory of Rob Archer

FRIENDS AND FAMILIES UNITED IN REMEMBRANCE

Family and friends turned out in force to remember Rob Archer, who died in March this year and to show their appreciation for the support he received from St Luke’s both at home and at the hospice’s specialist unit. Collectively they have already raised more than £1,200 in sponsorship.

Rob’s daughter Abi Shenton said: “St Luke’s were there for us as a family as well as for my dad and they have checked in on us since. We want to spread awareness about what they do.”

Abi was joined by her sisters-in-law Katie Archer and Kat Archer, niece Evelyn Archer, Katie’s mum Sharon Fremlin, and close friends Kerry Keiller, Leah Guy and Kirsty Garwood for the 13.5-mile circuit.

Her mum, Rob’s widow Linda Archer, was walking five miles with her best friend, Helen Hammond, by her side.

Linda said: “It’s very emotional coming here tonight. St Luke’s were brilliant to us. Nurse Karen was there from the beginning and talked us through everything that was happening.”

Twins Alexis and Imogen Bates, 15, with their mum Kerenza

MUMS AND DAUGHTERS WALK TOGETHER

Twins Alexis and Imogen Bates, 15, were excited to be with their mum Kerenza, walking 13.5 miles in memory of their granddads who were both cared for by St Luke’s at Turnchapel –Lawrence May in 2011 and Bill Bates in 2024.

Kerenza, a Midnight Walker for the third time, said: “It’s a challenge, but a lovely thing to do, with so many people out walking together, supporting each other and raising money for such a great cause.”

Jessica Sampson and her mum, Nicola

As they set off from Home Park on the two-and-a-half mile course, Jessica Sampson and her mum, Nicola, were thinking about their dear friend and former colleague Christine Hart who died in 2022, aged just 39. She was cared for by St Luke’s at the hospice’s specialist unit at Turnchapel.

For Jessica it was her fourth Midnight Walk experience: “It’s emotional, especially reading the messages on people’s T-shirts, and I know there will be both sad tears and happy tears along the way. When I cross the finish line, I’ll feel very proud.”

“You know you are achieving something by taking part,” added Nicola, clocking up her third Midnight Walk. “I’m a care worker and someone I am helping has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I know St Luke’s will be there when they need them.”

Jessica Sampson and her mum, Nicola, were walking in memory of their dear friend and former colleague Christine Hart

FUNDRAISING FOR FUTURE FAMILIES

Rachel Nile was taking part in memory of her husband, Andy, who was cared for by St Luke’s at home between 2014 and 2015. Best friend Vicky Andrews and her niece Cody joined her for the 7.5-mile route.

“St Luke’s were amazing, absolute angels. It was around the time the hospice was starting its home care services,” said Rachel. “For us Midnight Walk is about the whole atmosphere of the event and about supporting St Luke’s – and they really need our support because they do the most amazing work.

“I’m doing it for Andy and also for everyone that St Luke’s has helped and will in the future. We have to think that we might need them one day too.”

Rachel Nile was taking part in memory of her husband, Andy, with her best friend Vicky Andrews and her niece Cody

REMEMBERING A SPECIAL NAN

Hermione Phillips’ Nan, Dawn Byrne, had hospice care at home before she died in April this year.

“St Luke’s really helped my mum look after Nan. They were really great,” said 20-year-old Hermione, walking 7.5 miles with her friend, Lauren Kendrick. “It’s quite emotional walking and seeing all the names people have written on their T-shirts.”

Lauren added: “I’ve wanted to do Midnight Walk for ages and this was an even better reason to do it. We’d definitely be up for doing it again.”

Hermione Phillips and Lauren Kendrick

THANK YOU FROM ST LUKE’S

St Luke’s events manager Georgina Mayhew said: “It was fantastic to see so many people coming together on a glorious summer evening to remember their loved ones while raising funds so that more local families can benefit from St Luke’s compassionate care in the future.

Our Midnight Walk walkers warming up

“We would like to thank every single walker for their support. There was an incredible sense of camaraderie through the city as they celebrated precious memories and made new ones along the way.

“We are also tremendously grateful to our wonderful sponsors Michael Spiers and to Plymouth Argyle as hosts of our event village and, of course, our army of generous volunteers. Midnight Walk can only happen because of them.”