Despite torrential rain, more than 1,000 women gave up their duvets and went under the cover of night on Saturday to join a midnight march for charity, reports Ellie Hargreaves.

The 15km StarWalk, which was in aid of CancerCare, wound through the streets of Kendal from midnight until dawn to raise thousands of pounds for the North Lancashire and South Lakeland charity. The event had already doubled in size after participants bombarded the charity with entry forms, and it proved so popular organisers are already planning the 2008 StarWalk.

For women only, the 9.3-mile fundraiser began at lakes leisure Kendal (formerly Kendal Leisure Centre) and took the crowds of waterproof-wearing walkers on a thigh-busting circuit along roads, avenues, lanes and parkland, before returning to the Burton Road centre where breakfast was laid on.

CancerCare's fundraising coordinator Annette Quarry described the event as "absolutely fantastic" and paid tribute to the dozens of marshals and volunteers who braved the cloud bursts to help cheer on the walkers - the last of whom was home and dry within four hours.

"The night was absolutely amazing. We had torrential rain yet it didn't dampen anyone's spirits. There was a real buzz in the air and CancerCare has been inundated with emails and phone calls from participants saying how much they enjoyed the event," she said.

Last year it cost the charity £2,546 per day to provide emotional and practical support for people with cancer, their families and carers. It is not yet known how much Saturday's event raised, but it is expected to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

n For more pictures and an update on the fundraising efforts of the star walkers, don't miss The Westmorland Gazette, out on Friday.

It is not too late to sponsor the StarWalk, for more information on how to make a donation contact 01524-381820 or log on to www.starwalk.org.uk where messages of support can also be left.