Footballers from Mansfield Town were joined by Miss Mansfield, Jessica Boot, as they swapped their kits for onesies to call on people to take part in a charity moonlight walk.

Martin Riley and Ricky Ravenhill helped launch the Mansfield Moonlight and Memories Walk, which takes place on Saturday, 6th June. The event will help to raise funds for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Loughborough, and John Eastwood Hospice, Sutton.

Riley said: “This event will be a lot of fun and we hope that people in the community are as supportive of Rainbows and John Eastwood Hospice as they are of us. It is really important that people back our local charities while keeping fit and doing something fun at the same time.”

Current Miss Mansfield, Jessica Boot, also sported a onesie to show her support.

The 3.7-mile sponsored walk kicks off at the One Call Stadium, in Quarry Lane, at 10pm. Walkers will make their way around the residential streets before finishing back at the football club. Those taking part on the night time adventure will be treated to a midnight feast after the walk, with entertainment provided by Mansfield 103.2.

Last year, the local community helped raise almost £10,000 for the two charities and organisers are hoping to beat that total at this summer’s event.

Including those from Nottinghamshire, Rainbows cares for 288 children and young people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses as well as supporting 249 bereaved families and 521 siblings. Through its outreach efforts into East Midlands paediatric oncology units, Rainbows is also caring for a growing number of the region’s children with cancer.

Katie Baxter, community and events manager at Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, said: “Last year’s event was a huge success. We really want the people of Mansfield to join us for this moonlight adventure. So, tell all of your friends and relatives, grab your PJs and come and join us for what promises to be a fun evening!”

Diane Humphreys, hospice trust manager at John Eastwood Hospice, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Rainbows Hospice and this is a fantastic opportunity for people in our local community to come together for this major event and show their support for our vital work.”

The event is sponsored by Citipost Mail. Client experience manager Lesley Thornton said: “We are happy to participate in and contribute to local initiatives that improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.”

Entry is £10 with a minimum sponsorship target of £20. For more information, contact 0800 9521133, email [email protected] or visit www.rainbows.co.uk/mansfieldwalk

Pictured are Martin Riley; Maggie Deere and Paula North, community fundraisers for Rainbows Hospice; Lesley Thornton, client experience manager, Citipost Mail; Bo Bear, Rainbows mascot; Jessica Boot; Yvonne Shucksmith, fundraising manager, John Eastwood Hospice; and Ricky Ravenhill.