HUNDREDS of people are expected to take part in a midnight walk through Bewdley to remember their loved ones who have passed away.

As part of KEMP Hospice's 50th anniversary celebrations this year, the charity has rebranded its annual Midnight Walk to better reflect its work with bereavement support.

The 5km midnight stroll through Wyre Forest, now named The Midnight Memories Walk, will take place on Friday, June 14 to raise vital funding for the charity.

Businesses such as DW Fitness, Coversure Insurance, EBC Group of Halesowen, The Mitre Oak, LJ Fitness and Style House have already registered teams to take part, with other local companies pledging their support.

Head of fundraising at KEMP, Cathy Sloan, said: "Since the charity walks began back in 2008, we’ve had more than 3,300 women take part and, as this year is KEMP’s 50th anniversary, we thought it was the golden opportunity to make the event more inclusive.

"This is why we have opened it up to both women and men. It is great because we are now seeing businesses putting together their whole workforce as well as more community groups joining in.

"Those that have signed up are real KEMP heroes – and there is always room for more to join in.

"It would be amazing to look out on the night and see Worcestershire companies representing and really supporting the people of the Wyre Forest who need KEMP’s help."

The Midnight Walks have raised more than £300,000 for KEMP through registration and sponsorship in the last decade.

Cathy added: "Every penny goes towards the work of KEMP Hospice, and it allows us to provide free of charge care and support to people across the Wyre Forest who need our help dealing with life limiting illness and bereavement. Every year we need to raise around £1.5 million to make sure that we can be there for Wyre Forest families in their toughest times.

"It gets harder every year, but thanks to generous businesses, community and networking groups, individuals and the people within our community supporting events like the Midnight Memories Walk, we are confident we can achieve our fundraising target and continue to help more local people.”

This year's KEMP Midnight Memories Walk features a special memory wall and memory tree for people to leave names and pictures of their loved ones, a forest disco, Prosecco, beer and cocktail bar from Momma Woods, and entertainment hosted by Signal 107 breakfast show host Dicky Dodd.

There will also be a live concert in the forest from Pink tribute act Zoe Alexander.

Everyone taking part in the walk will receive a free t-shirt plus a snack and drink once they cross the finish line.

It costs £15 to take part. Register at kemphosice.org/midnightmemorieswalk, by calling 01562 756066, or sign up on the night from 8.30pm at Wyre Forest Discovery Centre.