FUNDRAISERS at Prospect Hospice have their own reason to celebrate in 2012.

For as well as the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee, this year also sees the fifth anniversary of the Hospice’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the Starlight Walk, sponsored by Nationwide Building Society.

In celebration, the Wroughton hospice has given the 2012 Starlight Walk through Swindon a Best of British theme. Fundraisers are hoping that women taking part in the walk will dress either in something that celebrates Britain, or simply in the colours of red, white and blue.

And with the early bird registration period closing on March 31, the hospice is asking the women of Swindon to sign up soon and help make this year’s walk, on June 30, the biggest ever.

“We’re making Starlight 2012 a real celebration of all that’s great about Britain,” said head of fundraising Sheryl Crouch. “Whether that’s post-war glamour, the swinging sixties, land girls or even harking back to the Victorian era, it’s all about bringing the best of British to the streets of Swindon.

“Starlight is always meant to be fun. It raises funds for the hospice, which we never lose sight of, but we’ve always tried to create a party atmosphere on the evening too, and fancy-dress and parties have always gone hand-in-hand.”

Wendy Johnson, 55, of Purton, is one of just six women who have signed up for every Starlight Walk since the first in 2008. Wendy decided to take part when a friend was cared for at Prospect.

“At the time Prospect Hospice was raising money for the Prospect@home service,” said Wendy.

“Sadly it was too late for my friend, but since then I’ve always done what I can to support Prospect.

“The Starlight Walks are huge fun, and the support we get from local people along the route is amazing – people cheering from the pubs, or beeping their horns. It’s a real party atmosphere, and of course, a really good cause.”

As part of the early bird registration, which ends on March 31, anyone who took part in last year’s event can register for the special loyalty rate of £10.

Other walkers can register for £12. After this date, registration costs £15, and closes on June 4.

You can sign up to take part by visiting www.prospect-hospice.net/Starlight.