AS chaplain at a hospice, Helen Bartlett has helped to comfort and console many people.

But next month, she is looking forward to meeting families again - to relax and have some fun, while raising money.

Mrs Bartlett will be one of hundreds of woman and children taking part in the Midnight Walk in aid of Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice.

Reflecting on her time at the hospice since her arrival last September, she said: "I thought it was an appropriate thing to do - to join the walk. I like the idea of being awake at that time of night.

"It will give me the opportunity to link in with people I have had contact with, both in and outpatients and their families. I just know that we are going to have a lot of fun together.

"There will be quite a lot of tears too, because many people will be doing the walk in memory of loved ones they have lost - and because the hospice and its team has touched them in some special way."

Mrs Bartlett said she found herself joining the ministry after working as a lay chaplain for St John's College.

She said: "I felt taking up the position was a natural progression. I have counselling experience and just love working with people.

"I feel it is an enormous privilege to minister patients and their families. For me, being a chaplain is about having the ministry of presence.

"In other words my job involves being able to talk, to sit in silence, to cry and laugh and essentially to walk alongside people in their life journeys."

The 10km walk, for women and accompanied children only, will take place on Midsummer night, Saturday, June 23.

The event will take place at Aykley Heads and will cover two laps of a 5km circuit. It will include a warm-up session with entertainment and breakfast for all who take part.

Last year, the hospice opened a £3.2m in-patient unit after the success of its Key Appeal, supported by The Northern Echo.

But, it still needs to raise £1.8m a year to support its work with people facing life-threatening illnesses. Most of the money comes from donations.

The closing date for entries is tomorrow. Call 0191-386-1170