AROUND 200 families took part in the last ever East Lancashire Hospice Memories Walk.

Walking in memory of loved ones, the fundraisers took part in the four-mile walk which started and finished at the hospice in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, on Saturday (July 7).

The hospice has decided that this year will mark the end of the Memories Walk.

Leanne Green, event fundraiser at the hospice, said it had decided to end the Memories Walk to make room for a wider variety of events for its its supporters to take part in.

She said: “We understand that there are a number of events for people to choose from to raise money for their chosen charity.

“We have taken the decision to rest the Memories Walk indefinitely to make room for a wider variety of events for our supporters to take part in.”

This year the Hyndburn Singers helped to lift spirits by singing as the walkers prepared to set off.

Claire Clayton and her 10-year-old daughter Ebony from Shadsworth, Blackburn, took part in the event in memory of Claire’s grandma Ann Lomax, who lost her battle with cancer in October 2017, and uncle Mark Hughes, who also died of cancer in June last year.

Claire’s mum Carole Hughes, younger sister Dana Ferguson and aunty Irene Henry also took part in the event, alongside many other supporters from across East Lancashire.

The hospice provides specialist, supportive and end of life care for patients and their families from Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley who are coping with a life-limiting illness.

Each year the charity needs to raise £3.7 million.

Each participant received a t-shirt, biodegradable heart shaped balloon and a candle bag to write the name of the person they were remembering – sponsored by Select Medical.

Ms Green added: “We would like to thank East Ribble District Freemasons, 2BR Lancashire, Hyndburn Singers, Whittakers Butchers, Oswaldtwislte and Bako for their support, and to Chris Knagg for taking the photographs.

“Also thank you to Select Medical for their sponsorship and support.”