Since the Starlight Walk began three years ago, thousands of women have put their best foot forward to raise £640,000 for the Peace Hospice.

Two thousand women are now expected to sign up for this year's event, which will take place on Saturday, May 22, it was announced today.

The all-female half marathon midnight walk takes in the sights of Watford High Street, Bushey Arches, Rickmansworth, Croxley Green and Cassiobury Park.

Stuart Nagler, the hospice's chairman of trustees, said: “The amount raised from this event is a fantastic achievement and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved over the three years including our walkers, volunteers, event sponsors and to our own staff.

“The income raised from this event alone has allowed us to provide a full period of care for more than 100 patients in our In-Patient Unit – that’s an amazing achievement. Over half of our patients following a stay in our Inpatient Unit are able to return home after this treatment. This shows just how important this money is to us.”

Linda Topping, chairman of the Starlight Walk Committee, said this year's event would be better than ever.

She said: “We have some exciting plans to make the Starlight Walk even better next year – the event creates such a great buzz of excitement in the town.”

The hospice, in Peace Drive, needs to raise £3 million this year in order to run and develop its services. All the care that the hospice provides to its patients and their families is free.

To register for the 2010 Starlight Walk online, visit www.starlightwalk.org.uk or telephone 01923 330340.