Breast cancer memorial walk a great success

Specks of light dotted Papamoa Hills like a twinkling pathway on Friday night when hundreds took part in the breast cancer awareness night walk.

Glow-sticks mapped the hilly course while walkers donned headlamps and torches to guide them over the hills.

Local women Tui Hambrook and Clare Worden organised the walk three years ago in memory of Mrs Hambrook's late aunt - her mother's twin sister.

On Friday night, Mrs Hambrook's mother, Judy Claughton, took part in the walk for the first time, after moving to Papamoa from Te Aroha.

She was one of about 200 people who took part in the annual event, which raised about $1800 for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

The walk began at the carpark on Poplar Lane and trekked through forest and farmland to the summit of Papamoa Hills Culture and Heritage Park before it ended at Summerhill Recreation Trails with free hot drinks and food, from Pak'N Save Papamoa and local business Coffee Cup.

Milk for the hot drinks was donated by Johns Produce and the coffee beans were donated by Fusion coffee.

The course was marshalled by Tauranga Youth Search and Rescue.

Mrs Hambrook said the evening was a huge success and the response from participants had been "incredible".