A PAIR of walkers are appealing for women to put their best feet forward and sign up for this year’s Midnight Walk.

Jo Richards and Sarah Breaks, who have been leading the hike since it started in 2007, encouraged more walkers to sign up for the event, which is backed by the Dorset Echo, in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

The duo, from Sutton Poyntz, got involved after completing their own sponsored trek along the Jurassic Coast in June 2007 in memory of their friend Jo Davies who died of cancer the same year.

Jo said: “We did a Jo-Rassic Challenge to support Jo, who was battling with a brain tumour, and to raise money for Weldmar.

“She died three days after – it was quite nice that she got to hear all about it.

“It was from that event that we were asked to do the Midnight Walk.

“For us it definitely keeps her memory alive.”

So far more than 100 women in west Dorset have signed up for the fundraising event along Weymouth’s seafront on July 20.

Sarah said: “It’s a lot of fun and we get quite a crowd of regulars every year but we want to encourage new people to come along this year as well. A lot of the ladies have their own stories and there are quite a few who have overcome cancer themselves.

“There’s an amazing atmosphere with all of us together.

“It’s quite an impressive sight when you see so many people all dressed up in bunny ears, there were about 600 of us last year.”

There will be three routes to choose from this year: five miles, six-and-a-half miles and 10 miles.

There is a discount if you sign up for the Midnight Walk before April 30. The discounted fee is £14, or £16 after April 30, and £12 for children aged 14 to 18.

This covers the cost of administering a place, a 2013 Midnight Walk T-shirt, flashing bunny ears, refreshments during and after the walk and other goodies.

Marshals are also needed.

To register or volunteer call 01305 261800, visit weld-hospice.org.uk/midnightwalk or fill out a form from any Weldmar shop or the Joseph Weld Hospice, in Dorchester.