HOSPISCARE'S midnight walk from Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth has raised a record �100,000 for the charity.

HOSPISCARE'S midnight walk from Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth has raised a record �100,000 for the charity.

More than 1200 women in June walked through the night to raise cash for the charity which cares for local people with incurable illnesses, and their families.

The total amount is double the �50,000 raised at the 2008 walk.

Organiser Louise Beeken thanked everyone who gave their time to help or support the event.

She said: "We are completely overwhelmed by the amount that has been raised, as well as by the number of women who took part in the walk this year.

"Their support has been amazing and we would like to sincerely thank all the walkers and their sponsors. It was an incredible event - lots of fun whilst raising money for a serious cause.

"We will be holding the event again next year and have plans in place to make it even better.

"The record amount will be a welcome boost for this year's appeal, which so far has seen a shortfall due to the recession."

All the funds raised will go towards Hospiscare's Ease the Pain appeal, which needs to raise �3.5 million this year to enable the charity to continue to care for 1,800 patients and their families in communities across Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

The appeal will fund pain-relieving equipment, specialist community nursing, day care sessions, bereavement services and complementary therapies for people with terminal illness.