A SPONSORED walk has raised more than £100,000 for two Hampshire hospices that care for children and young adults with life-limiting illnesses.

Hundreds of people strapped on their walking boots and trekked along the Clarendon Way in aid of Naomi House & Jacksplace, both based at Sutton Scotney, near Winchester.

The 26-mile hike from Winchester to Salisbury boasts some of the best views in the south.

People who took part in this year's event included the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Phillip Sykes, and his Wiltshire counterpart, Sir Charles Hobhouse. Winchester's mayor, Cllr Vivian Achwal, cheered the walkers on.

A Naomi House & Jackplace spokesman praised the support, passion and dedication shown by those who took part.

He added: "The annual fundraising event, organised and delivered by the hospices, has always captured the imagination of residents from Hampshire, Wiltshire and beyond.

"This years’ event was made possible by generous support from local businesses, volunteers and Winchester’s Army Training Regiment."

The walk has proved even more successful than the 2020 event, which raised £87,000.

Some of the walkers chose to tackle "family-friendly" distances along the Clarendon Way, which is divided into four sections. Others completed a 26-mile night-time walk and some went all the way from Salisbury to Winchester and back - a distance of 52 miles.

Charlotte Patrick is senior event fundraiser at Naomi House & Jacksplace.

She said: "The whole event was an exciting challenge for our team. Feedback from participants has been wonderful and many have already signed up for next year’s event.

"I would like to say a tremendous 'thank you' to all of those who supported the event by either walking or volunteering. We couldn't have done it without you.”

Naomi House opened in 1997 to support to children who were not expected to live until adulthood. Since then it has looked after more than 1,000 youngsters from Hampshire and other parts of the south.

Jacksplace, the only facility of its type in the region, was built in 2010 to care for young adults aged 16 and over.

The 2022 Clarendon Way Walk is due to take place on June 11-12. For more information and to take advantage of their early bird registration discount, visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk/walk