Ilkeston churches smash fundraising target after supporting NSPCC's 'Walk The Night' on 21st December

Churches in and around Ilkeston have collaborated in support of a national children’s charity campaign with your local radio station acting as the starting point.

The NSPCC challenge for ChildLine was to take part in a night walk on Saturday 21st December, known as 'The Longest Night', with the local group tracing a route through Ilkeston and stopping at several points along the way to sing a Christmas Carol.

After speaking to Lewis Allsopp on air, budding walkers began their walk from Erewash Sound studios at The Media Centre in Cotmanhay in mid-afternoon, assembling from around 3:15pm, leaving at around 3:30pm, reaching Holy Trinity, Ilkeston Methodist, St. Mary's and The United Reformed Churches, and eventually down Nottingham Road to reach the Church of Christ on Adam Street although there was an additional stop on the way after Ilkeston Community Pantry invited them in for cake and coffee.

Money is being raised through donations received in person and through an online fundraising page with a target of £200 already broken through and with the amount climbing after the team effort.

Ann Richards is a member of Ilkeston Methodist Church. Speaking before the event, she said: "I have to stress that this is very much a joint project – Ilkeston Churches working together to rise to this challenge.

"The plan is for a small core group to set off and walk the full 5k route, but we will stop off a various points along the way and anyone can join us to walk part of the route.  This will give everyone, even those with limited mobility, a chance to be part of this."

The walkers reached their final destination by around 5:30pm and enjoyed some more refreshments.

You can find out more about the national campaign at www.nspcc.org.uk.