NAOMI House hospice launched its major fundraiser of the year yesterday.

Staff from the Sutton Scotney-based hospice were at Winchester Cathedral to launch its annual flagship fundraiser - the Clarendon Way Walk.

The 26-mile route takes walkers from Winchester to Salisbury cathedrals and hospice staff are keen to recruit as many participants as possible.

Naomi House cares for children with life-limiting conditions and relies on donations to provide its services.

Events coordinator Felicity Patterson said: “This is our flagship event which has been established for seven years now and it always raises more than £100,000 for us.

“Considering we need to raise £7m each year to provide services this is a very valuable event so we want as many people to get involved as possible.”

Around 850 took part last year but Miss Patterson said the hospice was aiming for more than 1,000 walkers for the event on June 2.

Some of the hospice's staff are taking part too, including corporate fundraiser Lauren Shields.

She said: “I'm looking forward to this challenge as it's a big event and as employees we want to get involved and see the event from a donor's perspective. I want to say a big thank you to those who have signed up and the best way to do that is if I'm there with them.”

The event is sponsored by trade union GMB and strategic outsourcing and energy company MITIE.