NORTH DEVON'S biggest charity event has become even bigger with more people already signed up than took part last year.

There are currently 1,600 walkers signed up for Nightwalk 2011 with all the money raised supporting North Devon Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Many of those who are supported by funds raised from the event on May 21 are cancer sufferers, but a large proportion suffer from other diseases.

One Barnstaple family which has been supported by the hospice over the last 18 months are the Averys.

Mike Avery, 38, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in August 2009 and started using the hospice services in November that year.

Mike's wife, Lorraine, said the Motor Neurone Disease Association was a good source of information about the illness and that the hospice's services had allowed the family to maintain a sense of normality.

Lorraine said: "I have a carers' meeting on Wednesday and Mike goes up on Thursday for a patients' get-together. Then on Friday the whole family go up which allows us all to speak to people who understand, but who are outside the family."

Counsellors are also provided by the Hospice for the three Avery children, Jake, Jacob and Alfie.

Lorraine added: "I would be at my wits' end if it were not for the hospice and I know the children would not have coped as well, if they didn't have a confidant to talk to."

Mike, who has the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type of the disease, has a three to five-year life expectancy following diagnosis. He spoke of how much his weekly trips to the hospice help him cope with his deterioration.

He said: "When you go up there, it is not what you are expecting and being there almost makes me forget about my condition. During the two hours I am there, everyone is laughing nearly the whole time.

"It just makes a difference, to meet with people who also have terminal illnesses, who understand what you are going through. Most of them up there are now my good friends."

Lorraine is taking part in this year's Nightwalk for the first time, in a team which currently has seven members. They are walking the Torrington to Bideford route.

She said: "Doing the event just seems like an obvious way of saying thank you to those who make such a difference to our lives on a daily basis."

Gerard Fawcitt, from North Devon Hospice's fundraising team, said: "Lorraine is similar to many local women, who are taking part in Nightwalk because they have had personal experience of either North Devon Hospice or Macmillan Cancer Support."

Gerard also praised the new owners of the Fremington Quay Café, who have kindly agreed to provide refreshments at the halfway stage on the night, absolutely free of charge.

He added: "Charlotte and Paul have been extremely generous with this offer, and the atmosphere at the Fremington halfway stage is always absolutely buzzing."

To enter Nightwalk, visit www.nightwalk.co.uk, call 01271 347224 or 01271 347204 or e-mail nightwalk@northdevonhospice.org.uk or fill in the form on this page.