MUMS and daughters, sisters, aunts and best friends paced around Harrow dressed in pink as part of St Luke’s Hospice’s largest fundraiser.
More than 1,440 women of all ages participated in the Midnight Walk, a nine-mile loop that began and finished at Harrow Leisure Centre in Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, and took in streets in Harrow Weald, Stanmore, Kingsbury and Kenton.
The event, which started at midnight on Saturday, attracted £188,940 in sponsorship for the hospice in Kenton.
A family team, called The Jubilee Ladies, had by far the youngest walker, – six-year-old Kia Gajparia, who wore a pink feather boa and sparkly hat.
Kia’s mother, Rina, said: “Kia proved us all wrong and completed the walk. At school in Finchley she was put in the gold book for determination and this determination is what kept her going.
“She was tired half way through but persevered and other participants who were getting tired looked at her and ploughed through.”
The Jubilee Ladies raised nearly £6,000 between them in memory of 55-year-old Ravji Mandani – an uncle, grandad, husband and dad who died from a brain tumour in February and was much loved by the team.
The crowd assembling at the leisure centre was treated to a Bollywood-themed King of Rock and Roll tribute act, Patelelvis, a performance by electro soul pop singer, Krupa Pattni, and a fitness warm-up by instructor Gary Zucker, before special guest Asad Shan, TV presenter and actor, led the final countdown.
Taking part in her fifth walk was newly-wed Anjali Mody (nee Pattni) who was part of the team called Bridesmaids in PJs.
The school teacher and her cousin, Jaymini Katira, are both members of the charity’s organising committee for the walk. She arranged her wedding for the Sunday before to avoid clashing with the walk.
Anjali, a schoolteacher at Green Lawns Montessori at Kenton Sports Club, Kenton Park Road, Harrow, said: “It was a really good experience and lots of fun.
“We don’t have bridesmaids in Hindu weddings, but all my girlfriends who would have been bridesmaid took part.
“I wore a veil and a tracksuit saying ‘Just married’ and my husband Yashin walked with us.”
Premila Vekariya, from Pinner, was first walker back, in under two hours. “This is one of the best events for atmosphere, buzz and general feel-good factor,” she said.
The proceeds will help the hospice reach its goal of raising an extra £250,000 in its 25th anniversary year to expand its services, such as its Hospice At Home outreach service.
