Janet is the patron of Maggie’s London and has taken part in the London Night Hike on two previous occasions with her family, including her daughter Sophie Ellis Bextor – who will be taking part again this year.

The London Night Hike is a 20-mile hike with a difference. Thanks to Maggie’s partnership with Open House, participants will have exclusive night-time access to some of the capital’s architectural gems and attractions, including the London Eye!

Maggie’s partnership with Open House is particularly apt given Maggie’s belief that design and environment plays a crucial role in wellbeing.

The London Night Hike, sponsored by Delancey, has been running for 4 years and in that time over 4,000 people have raised an incredible £1.5 million for Maggie’s Centres.

Janet Ellis said: “I’ve taken part in the London Night Hike for the last couple of years and I’ve had a marvellous time.  There are plenty of fun and interesting stops en route and it’s fantastic that the London Eye is opening for hikers; it will be a real highlight. Another great thing is that everyone will be able to visit Maggie’s London and see exactly what they are raising funds for.”

Janet went on to say: “If you fancy a night out in London with family, friends or colleagues including a ride on the London Eye, the chance to visit places like Fulham Palace and the Royal Geographical Society, a party at Battersea Power Station and breakfast on the balcony of City Hall, then the London Night Hike is for you. And you’ll be helping to support people living with cancer if you do sign up. It will be a night you will never forget.”

Sophie Ellis Bextor, who will be joining her Mum on the hike, added: “My Mum is patron for Maggie’s London and I’ve learnt from her what an amazing charity it is. I have visited the London Centre and I know first hand what a difference it can make to people on their journey through cancer. I joined my Mum on the London Night Hike last year, which was like a festival on foot. Maggie’s staff and volunteers look after everyone and the buildings and attractions open en route mean that you always have something to look forward to. If you are up for a laugh, want to see London in a way you have never seen it before and want to support people living with cancer, the London Night Hike is for you.”

Maggie’s Fundraising Manager, Tamsin Fraser said: “The London Night Hike is a hugely important event to Maggie’s Centres. The funds raised from one night will effectively cover the running costs for Maggie’s London centre for one year ensuring that thousands of people living with cancer will get access to information, support and care on their journey through cancer.”

Maggie's Centres are for anyone affected by any type of cancer at any stage of their cancer journey. The free-of-charge programme of emotional and practical support helps people to build a life beyond cancer.

People take part in the London Night Hike for a variety of reasons, some of which are extremely personal. None more so than John Jencks, son of the founder of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres – Maggie Keswick Jencks.

John said: "I take part every year and it is an incredible event. I’m extremely proud of the centres that are my Mum’s legacy. The fact that Maggie's London received 15,000 visits in its first year since opening speaks volumes. People need a place to turn when they are living with cancer and they need time to speak to professionals and others that are going through a similar experience. The London Night Hike helped to build Maggie’s London and it will now help to keep it running and enable Maggie’s to develop more centres throughout the UK. We hope that this year will be the biggest yet and it is fantastic that the London Eye will open exclusively for participants. It’s a fun event; people take part with their family, friends or colleagues. Something that someone said to me last year is that they spend so much of their time on the underground that they forget how cool and beautiful London is over ground!”

To find out more about Maggie’s and the 2009 London Night Hike visit www.maggiescentres.org/nighthike call Claire Devlin on 0845 602 6427 or e-mail claire.devlin@maggiescentres.org