Midnight. Horsham. And 150 reasons it works.

The atmosphere at St Catherine’s Midnight Walk is electric. Hundreds of people gather as darkness falls, music pumping, everyone buzzing with nervous energy ready to walk 2, 7,13 or 17 miles. And threading through it all is a team of volunteers making it happen.

This year’s walk takes place on Saturday 6th June, and St Catherine’s needs 150 volunteers. Without them, the event simply couldn’t run.

What volunteers actually do
The main role is route guide – working in pairs to lead walkers along the route through Horsham. You’ll be fully briefed and kitted out with everything you need. There are also refreshment stop volunteers, base volunteers coordinating at The Bridge Leisure Centre, and front and end walkers maintaining safety.

The night is long – you won’t get much sleep. But those who’ve done it say it’s worth it.

Why they keep coming back
Mary has volunteered at a refreshment stop for four years and will be joining for her fifth time this June. She sums it up as fun, rewarding – and exhausting.

“It’s such a fun event, to welcome the walkers and congratulate them on where they’ve got to and then encourage them to go for the next stretch – it’s really nice. It’s such a high level of excitement in the room when they arrive. It’s lovely.”

Anyone who’s done the walk will recognise what Mary’s describing. It feels more like a night out than a challenge – no pressure to keep pace, groups stick together chatting, strangers get talking. Hours of proper conversation you don’t often get. The volunteers guide the way through the streets at night and encourage people along when feet get tired.

Mary also volunteers on the Ward at the hospice. “I see people that I’ve helped, which is lovely. And you meet old friends – I’ve got two regular walkers who I only ever see at the Midnight Walk.”

She remembers one walker with a knee injury who couldn’t complete the route. The woman was walking in memory of her parents. “Your heart goes out to her, because she was doing it for all the right reasons.”

“It’s really hard to sleep when you get home because you’re so hyped up,” Mary says.

“But I think it’s an amazing achievement, to see all those walkers come through and know what they’re doing it for. It’s just nice to be part of all of that.”

Chris Jennings has volunteered 12 times. He started because his wife Katy was helped by a St Catherine’s counsellor when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Katy passed away in 2008 aged 42, leaving Chris and their son Adam, who was only 14.

“Volunteering is my way of saying thanks and giving back,” Chris explains. “There’s a great vibe and everyone is happy to be there. Lots of walkers are remembering relatives and friends. It’s good fun encouraging people, particularly towards the end when people need some impetus to finish. It’s not difficult – you just have to be awake through the night and be willing to help out.”

First-time volunteer Monika Kerr worked in the main hall with face painters. “The atmosphere was absolutely electric. People were singing and dancing and there was a real party feeling. It was great to chat to people and inspiring to hear their stories.”

The numbers that matter
Last year, over 140 volunteers helped 650 walkers raise £109,000. That money directly supports over 2,000 local people living with a terminal or life-limiting illness who St Catherine’s cares for each year on its hospice Ward or out in the community.

There’s still time
If you’re interested in volunteering St Catherine’s would love to hear from you. All equipment is provided, you’ll get full training, and travel expenses are reimbursed.

Sign up at stch.org.uk/volunteer-at-the-midnight-walk-2026 or call 01293 447361.

And if you’d rather walk than volunteer?
There’s still time to sign up: stch.org.uk/midnight-walk. Choose from 2, 7, 13, or 17 miles – and use code RHUNCOVERED at checkout for 15% off your entry fee.

The Midnight Walk isn’t St Catherine’s only event needing volunteers – throughout the year, there are opportunities from marathons to Christmas gift wrapping and more. Check out the website for more details.