Online registration is now closed. 

If you want to take part you can register on the night.  

The Midnight Walk is our flagship sponsored walk through the centre and outskirts of Ipswich. The walk is for men, women and children 10 years and over.

You can choose to take on the five or ten mile route to raise vital funds for the hospice. This year's walk will take place on Saturday 20 May 2023 and we will be returning to Ipswich Town Football Club with a neon theme.

So throw on your brightest clothes out and join us for the biggest party in Suffolk! Not only does the walk give you the chance to party it also gives you time to remember those who mean the most to you.

Entrants must be 10 years of age or over on day of regstration.
Any walker under the age of 18 must include the name and authorisation of the parent/guardian who will be accompanying them on the walk on their registration form.

Before you register please ensure you read our terms and conditions here

Route Maps

Click the images below to download the route maps.

Thank you to our Headline Sponsor – Hawk Express Cabs

Frequently Asked Questions

How far are the routes?
There is a choice of five or ten miles.

When does the walk start?
The walk starts at 9.30pm. All walkers for both routes will leave the stadium together.

When does registration open on the night?
Registration opens at 7.00pm. 

Where will the walk take us?
The Midnight Walk will take walkers through the centre and outskirts of Ipswich starting and finishing at the ‘Fan Zone’ at Ipswich Town Football Club. Both routes will pass the hospice on Foxhall Road and Ipswich Waterfront. Route maps of the walk will be sent out in your walker pack and are available to download on this page and our web pages.

Please note that the route distances are approximate and rounded to the nearest mile.

Is a map of the routes available?
A map of the routes will be emailed to you or they can be downloaded below:
5 Mile Route Map
10 Mile Route Map

Is the route flat?
Whilst most of the route is flat there are some gradients. Back Hamlet is on both routes and then there will be some more inclines around the Christchurch Park area.

How long will the walk take?
The walk will take approximately one-two hours for a fit walker walking the five miles and approximately three-four hours for the ten mile route. There is no rush and we encourage all participants to go at their own pace.

The event is definitely not a race and there will be no pressure to finish in a certain time. There will be lead walkers as well as walkers at the back of the pack to ensure the last participants return safely.

Do I have to be fit?
You can take it at your own pace. However, we do recommend that you should train before taking part and that you feel comfortable that you will be able to complete a long run or walk. The Midnight Walk is a fun event, designed for you to take at your own pace; it is not a race.

How old do I need to be?
Entrants must be 10 years of age or over on day of registration.
Any walker under the age of 18 must include the name and authorisation of the parent/guardian who will be accompanying them on the walk on their registration form.

Can I walk with a group of my friends?
To make administration easier, we would encourage all groups of walkers to give themselves a group name. When signing up on Enthuse you will be given the option to add in your group name.

Do I need to specify which route I will take on the night?
When you register, you will be asked what route you will be taking, five or ten miles. 

Will there be parking on the night?
There are surface car parks around the stadium that can be accessible 24 hours a day:
Portman Road A Car Park                                                               
Portman Road B Car Park                                                               
Portman Road C Car Park                                                               
Portman Road D Car Park                                                               
Princes Street Car Park 

See below link about all information regarding our Long & Short Stay Car Park. https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/carparks

Will there be toilets on route?
Toilet facilities will be available at the start/finish, the hospice and at any marked rest points on the route.

Will there be any refreshments?
There will be water stops and some refreshments on both the five mile route and the ten mile route and at ITFC. We recommend you bring water to take with you when you walk. There will also be some food vendors at the hospice and at ITFC where you can purchase food/drinks.

I'm in a wheelchair? Can I still take part?
Yes. The route is accessible via wheelchair. The terrain is pavements where there are drop curbs available. Please note there are some gradients on this walk and the routes are not entirely flat. If you have any queries about access needs, please contact us to discuss further. Call 01473 723600 or email [email protected] 

Can I bring pets?
No pets or animals are permitted on the Midnight Walk except guide dogs.

What do I need to wear?
We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The theme this year is Neon so we'd love to see your brightest outfits! We also have t-shirts available to purchase on the night for £5. Along with this our retail team will be there on the night selling a variety of neon coloured items. 

Will it be safe?
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. The route will be well marshalled by volunteers.

Where is registration on the night?
Registration will take place within the event village located in the marquee beside the ‘Fan Zone’ at ITFC. This will be signposted.

Are there any lockers/storage facilities to leave things at the start?
No. All participants will be responsible for their belongings and will need to take anything they bring on the walk.

How much does it cost to take part?
The cost will be £14 per person until 11.59pm, Sunday 14 May. The fee covers the cost of administration, refreshments on route and your medal at the end. The registration fee ensures that all the sponsorship money you raise can go directly to helping our patients and their families receiving end of life care. The booking fee helps the hospice cover our event costs.

How do I get a t-shirt?
Due to the increased cost of t-shirts and event costs, t-shirts are no longer included within the registration fee. These can be purchased for £5 separately when ordering tickets until 14 April, after this date they can be purchased on the night. 

When do I get my t-shirt if I order one?
T-shirts will form part of the walker packs. Walkers Packs can either be collected from St Elizabeth Hospice on specific dates which we will communicate to all participants. Or they can be collected on the night at ITFC. Unfortunately, we are unable to change the t-shirt size you request when you sign up as they are made to order.

What is the Enthuse Giving Page?
By signing up to the Midnight Walk you will automatically receive your very own Enthuse Giving Page to start fundraising. Don't forget to share it with your supporters and kick start your fundraising efforts.
You can also download a paper sponsor form here

Is there a minimum amount I need to raise?                                           
There is no minimum sponsorship ask for individuals or groups that sign up. However, as this is a big fundraising event for St Elizabeth Hospice we do encourage those that take part to raise what they can. A suggested figure to aim for would be £50 as an individual and £250 for groups. 

Can I Gift Aid my donation?
You can ask each person that sponsors you to Gift Aid their donation by ticking the Gift Aid box on your sponsor form, if they are a UK taxpayer or pay Capital Gains Tax. For every £1 they donate, we receive an extra 25p.

How do I hand in my sponsor money? 
Please send cheques to: Midnight Walk Team, St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8LX. Alternatively, you can bring the money in person to the Ipswich hospice.

If you have set up an Enthuse page, we automatically receive all donations made through the website, so you don't need to do anything!
Please do not bring sponsor money to the event. 

My company does Matched Giving. How do I pay in that money?       
Please do let us know if you have matched giving money to add to your sponsorship. We can chat through options with how you can pay in that money. 

A lot of companies have matched funding in place where they give a donation to their employees who do fundraising events. This is a really great way for you to boost your fundraising income. If you are unsure whether your company does matched funding please do ask. If you have any questions about matched giving please contact our Events team on [email protected] and they will be only too happy to chat through this further with you.

Is there any other way I can support the event/hospice?
Yes. There are lots of ways in which you can support St Elizabeth Hospice.
Please spread the word amongst your colleagues, family, friends and neighbours and get them signed up too! The more that help with promoting this event, the more will sign up and get involved.             

We also need volunteer support to help the event run smoothly. There are lots of roles where we need volunteer help. Click here for more info.
We are also looking for people that might be able to cheer along the route. If you live along the route and able to cheer from your house or driveway or potentially have a feature such as a water stop we would love to hear from you.

If you work for a company that might be interested in sponsoring the Midnight Walk we would love to speak to them. There are lots of areas to sponsor. Please do pass this onto anyone you know that might be interested.

If you'd like to know more about the event or have a question relating to the hospice and our fundraising please do email [email protected] or call T: 01473 723600