DRESSED in a Dalmatian onesie armed with nothing but hugs a woman from Winchester has been cuddling as many people as possible all for a good cause.

Cheryl Rickman, a 39-year-old author from Hursley, has been cuddling her way through the village in a bid to raise £150 for Cancer Research in aid of International Day of Happiness.

The self-help writer, of Port Lane, decided to raise the money in memory of her late father, Roger, who lost his battle with the disease on Father’s Day last year.

As well as a fundraiser, Cheryl used the day to promote happiness and good-feelings to all she saw both in person and on the web.

“I have done quite a lot of hugs virtually and I made a hug video which basically meant me running towards the camera to cuddle it,” she said.

“Everybody who donates via online or by text has been getting a virtual hug; I’ve had some from Facebook and it means I get to hug people I otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.

“I’ve set myself quite a realistic target but if I go over it then great. I’m currently up to about £120 but my target is £150,” she added.

“I thought with international day of happiness coming up I’d better do something that gets the old pheromones going and what’s better than a hug?”