2026 marks a very special milestone for Willen Hospice… 17 years of the Midnight Moo!
What started as a bold idea during a challenging time has grown into one of our most loved community events. And none of it would have been possible without you – our incredible supporters, walkers, fundraisers, volunteers and cheer squads.
To celebrate, let’s take a look back at how far the Moo has come…
🐄 Our Moo Story
2009
In the midst of a recession, our fundraising income dropped significantly. To keep our doors open and avoid cutting services, we needed to think big. So, we launched our very first mass participation event… The Midnight Moo!
Originally a women-only night walk, it was a roaring success – raising a lifesaving £100,000 for the Hospice.
2010
The excitement continues as the Midnight Moo returns – and raises a record-breaking £225,000, the highest in its history!
2019
Inspired by the success of the Midnight Moo, we introduce the Midday Moo – a daytime 5 or 10 mile walk with pit stops along the way.
The first event is men-only, but by the following year, both Moos open up to everyone as we begin to modernise and grow.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic changes everything.
While the Hospice prepares to support the NHS and care for patients at the end of their lives, many of our fundraising events are cancelled or reimagined – impacting our income dramatically. But in true Moo spirit, our community steps up once again. Hundreds of people take part in the ‘All New Moo’, walking from their doorsteps in 1920s fancy dress, staying ‘one cow apart’.
2021
It’s our 40th Anniversary, and we celebrate in true style with an 80s-themed Moo Weekender!
After more than a year of lockdowns, it’s our first mass participation event back – with the Midnight Moo on Friday and Midday Moo on Saturday.
2022
The Midnight Moo gets a fresh new look – hello iconic purple glow-up!
2023
Our biggest Midnight Moo since before the pandemic, with over 1,000 participants coming together to walk, remember, and celebrate.
2024
We celebrate 15 years of Midnight Moo – a huge milestone made possible by you, our amazing community. With a fun, cow-inspired theme (back to our concrete roots as Milton Keynes’ unofficial mascot!), the herd comes together once again for both Midnight Moo and Midday Moo.
2025
A new chapter begins as the Moo moves to a new home at Middleton Hall – bringing a fresh feel while keeping everything you love, including plenty of cow print! 🐄
The Moo legacy continues to grow, with even more supporters stepping out, dressing up, and fundraising to support Willen Hospice.
2026
Seventeen years on, the Midnight Moo is bigger than ever – and we’re seeing second-generation Moo-ers taking part! Many have grown up watching their parents walk in memory of their grandparents and are now joining the herd themselves. Every year, thousands of you continue to step out in support of your local Hospice, proving that the spirit of the Moo is as strong as ever.
Be part of the Moo story
Every step taken, every pound raised, and every memory made has helped us continue providing compassionate care to those who need it most.
Midnight Moo isn’t just an event – it’s a com-MOO-nity.
Ready to make this year unforgettable?
