Women from across Hertfordshire sacrificed their beauty sleep last weekend to raise money for charity.

More than 1,200 ladies took to the streets of Berkhamsted at midnight on Sunday (21st June) for the third annual Walk With The Stars.  

Looking pretty in pink in anything from wigs and pyjamas to cowboy hats and tutus, the women walked from Berkhamsted to Hemel Hempstead and back, completing routes of either six or 12 miles.

The overnight walk raised more than £200,000 for the Hospice of St. Francis, which provides specialist care for anyone in the West Hertfordshire area affected by a life-limiting illness.

Herts Mercury radio presenter Tank Montana and local glamour model Bianca Gascoigne were among the familiar faces who stayed up through the night to cheer the intrepid walkers on.

Ros Bushi from St. Albans, whose husband Ben died at the Hospice in January this year, led a team of walkers called OAS. She said: "The care and support offered by the Hospice staff is genuinely inspiring, and all of Ben's visitors commented on the amazing atmosphere there."

Maurece Rice from Berkhamsted celebrated her birthday by walking for the Hospice with her team, the Nights in White Trousers.

Fran Martin, who organised the event, said: "It was fantastic to see such amazing support for the Hospice of St. Francis and bring together everyone from St. Albans, Harpenden, Hemel, Chesham, Amersham and Berkhamsted. We are so proud of them all."

The Hospice's next fundraising event will take place in October and is a sponsored challenge amongst the treetops in Wendover Woods. You can also register your interest in Walk With The Stars 2010.

Did you take part in Walk With The Stars 2009? Let us know about your experiences.

Photography: Hospice of St. Francis