A COUPLE who lost their daughter to cancer at the age of 26 are urging people to sign up for Nightwalk to make a big difference to someone's life.

Margaret and John Hunt lost their only daughter Amy to ovarian and stomach cancer, five years ago.

Since then, Margaret has taken part every year in the moonlit Nightwalk, which this year takes place on May 22, to show her appreciation for the hospice.

"The hospice was there for us emotionally and gave us whatever we needed," said Margaret, who works at Sainsbury's in Roundswell.

"I honestly dread to think what those months would have been like without their help."

Amy had been in New Zealand for less than a month — part of a year-long trip she had saved for — when she was diagnosed. Her ovaries were later removed but the cancer had spread to her stomach.

Amy passed away in May 2005, six months after she was diagnosed.

John, a semi-retired cleaner, said: "Once you walk out the hospital, you are on your own.

"But from the moment we phoned the hospice, they were there for us 100% and I cannot praise them enough."

Margaret completes the Bideford to Barnstaple route on the women-only walk, with a friend of Amy's. She has raised almost £4,000 over the four years.

John said: "Nightwalk is amazing. People join together from all walks of life. You do not know each other, but you are doing the same thing, for the same people."

John said the hospice was not only for older people and their daughter was, in their view, a child when she died.

"I don't think anyone in North Devon will go through their life without knowing someone who has used the hospice. The range of people they help is huge," he said.

"When someone has cancer, it affects the whole family. When someone is dying, it is a horrible time — a time which was helped so much by the hospice."

Nightwalk, which takes place on the Tarka Trail, has six available routes.

The event raises money for both the North Devon Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Gerard Fawcitt, from the hospice's fundraising team, said: "It is bound to be a busy night with a great atmosphere, so we encourage all ladies to get online and return entry forms soon, before it's too late."

● Visit www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/nightwalk to download a form or call 01271 347213 or 01271 347204.