WHILE most of us were tucked up in bed almost 1,000 gallant fundraisers braved the rain to strike out on a midnight stroll in memory of their loved ones.
Starting out from the John Smith's Stadium, the Kirkwood Hospice Midnight Memory Walk featured a 10-mile loop around the streets of Huddersfield.
And the popular event was deemed a massive success after walkers raised £71,000.
Among this year's walkers were James and Sharon from Lowerhouses.
James' mother, Christine, died from cancer two years ago.
This years event was a poignant and uplifting experience for the married couple of 16 years.
Of her mother-in-law's illness, Sharon said: "She wanted to stay at home, so we had a lot of support from Kirkwood.
"They helped us understand what we should be doing and through the hospice's support we managed to give her that wish.
"Although she died two years ago, it's still very raw.
"Coming here, everyone else has been through something similar, some form of suffering.
"This event is a real boost.
"It helps us to know that we are not alone," she added.
Angela Armitage walked with friends in memory of her husband Arthur, who lost his battle with cancer in July 2012.
She remembers the advice and support of the Hospice in helping her to deal with the grief.
Both Angela and her friend Philomena Clay, of Berry Brow, were taking on the 10-mile challenge for the first time and wanted to dedicate their efforts to Arthur.
The crowd began to gather in eager anticipation way before the start of the event and were entertained by Surefire Contemporary Circus Theatre who wowed walkers with a mesmerising LED light show.
TAP Events were also on hand to get people in the party spirit.
Lucy Penrose guided the crowd through an energetic warm-up routine before the walk got under way.
Kirk Wood, the Dalton hospice's champion and Duncan the Dragon delighted young and old with their antics throughout the evening.
As the clock struck its magical midnight chime a huge cheer went up as a symbolic balloon release officially signalled the start of the 2013 Midnight Memory Walk.
Hospice fundraiser Emily Kennedy, who organised this year's event, was delighted by the number of people who turned out to walk in memory of a loved one.
"The walkers who turn up to walk en masse every year really make this event special," she said.
"The Midnight Memory Walk is one of the hospice's major events and to see so many people enjoying the atmosphere and sharing stories of loved ones is amazing."
Kirkwoods annual Midnight Memory Walk has now been running for seven years.
The event attracts walkers from across the world each year and 2013 was no different.
Participants from Australia, Ireland, Hertfordshire and Northumberland all made the journey to remember a relative or loved one.
All the money raised goes directly toward providing specialist palliative care for patients and families across Kirklees with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, heart failure and motor-neuron disease.
