Starlight Strollers will be the first to get the chance to look round Poole’s newest hospice building.

A £2.5million appeal is funding a rebuilt Lewis-Manning Hospice at Evening Hill, which is due to re-open in a few months and will be the half-way stage of the 5k sponsored walk on the evening of Saturday March 24.

“This year is extra special for us,” said communications officer Louise Blackwell.

“People who come on the Starlight Stroll will be the first members of the public to be able to look over the hospice.”

Among those signed up in the hospice’s 20th anniversary year is Bad Girls and Coronation Street star Debra Stephenson, who will officially open the event, and Fiona Castle, patron of the hospice’s breathlessness clinic.

This is the fifth year the popular event is taking place and it starts at 9.45pm at the Sandbanks Beach Café with a Zumba warm up. The scenic route goes around the bay to the hospice at Evening Hill and returns to the café.

Everyone is welcome, including dogs and accompanied children and fancy dress is encouraged. In previous years walkers have been clad in everything from pyjamas to fairy costume The colourful Pirates of Poole will be taking part and everyone gets a flashing head bopper to wear and a goody bag.

Last year 150 signed up and they are hoping to double that and raise more than £10,000.

Community fundraiser Sara Sheppard, 31, is looking forward to taking part. “It’s something a bit different because it’s at night, fancy dress, a bit of Zumba and it supports a really great charity,” she said.

Kate Cross, general manager of the Sandbanks Beach Café said they were delighted to support the charity for the third year and would be offering discounted catering on the night.

l It costs £10 for adults and £5 for children to enter and for more information contact the fundraising team on 01202 701000 or visit lewis-manning.co.uk