Millers supporters were among 1,000 people who took part in the first ever Midnight Memory Walk in aid of Rotherham Hospice.

Beginning from a floodlit Millmoor just before midnight, fundraisers then walked a 10 mile route through the town.

All those taking part had been sponsored in a bid to raise £50,000 for the hospice on Broom Road which cares for the terminally ill.

Walkers wore a t-shirt with the name of the loved one they were doing the walk in memory of.

The event, also supported by Rotherham Titans and Rotherham Council, was spearheaded by Rotherham United assistant manager John Breckin whose wife Denise was cared for at the hospice before her death from cancer.

The event was attended by children's TV favourites and lifelong Rotherham United fans the Chuckle Brothers.

It was an emotional event for John - made even more so because the Millers will soon vacate Millmoor after more than 100 years to a temporary home at Sheffield's Don Valley.

The move comes after the club failed to reach an agreement with Millmoor landlords over their continued use of the ground.

The team will play at Don Valley next season and are hopeful a new community ground will be built in Rotherham in the near future.

"It was incredibly emotional seeing everyone come out of Millmoor for what could be the last time," said John.

"And everyone was doing that walk in memory of a loved one and seeing the names on their t-shirts made it even more emotional, but it was a fantastic event and I think we achieved what we set out to do."

The sponsorship will now be collected and it may be a few weeks before they know how close they have come to the £50,000 target.

"The night itself was a huge success and everyone enjoyed it," said John, who did not get to bed until 6am on Sunday.

"The weather held off quite well and even though it had rained all day, people were still prepared to come out and take part.

"I can't thank everyone who took part and helped make it happen enough."

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