STAFF from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) have taken on a 25-mile hike to raise money for Hampshire Hospitals Charity.

Starting at 8am on Saturday, October 21, the team of 10 walked from Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, crossing the finish line after 10 hours.

The group included paediatric nurses, play specialists and healthcare support workers as well as others who in their day-to-day roles work in child health at Basingstoke hospital.

Basingstoke Gazette: The walkers managed to raise £2,000 for the Hampshire Hospitals CharityThe walkers managed to raise £2,000 for the Hampshire Hospitals Charity (Image: Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)READ MORE: Charity ball coming to Basingstoke to raise money for hospital charity

Along the way, the group were supported by friends and family who met them at different rest points to host stretching sessions and provide tea, cake and fresh fruit.

The group raised £2,000, all of which will go to The Magic Lion Appeal and will be allocated to the child health services at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital within Charlie’s Day Unit, G2 ward, children’s outpatients as well as the play team.

Naomi Wallace, paediatric nurse at HHFT, and one of the walk organisers, said: “We had such a fantastic day, despite the occasional heavy downpour we got caught in.

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“What kept us motivated was the difference we knew we were making with every step thanks to all the generous donations – we celebrated each mile and sang along the way to keep ourselves going.”

Every year, Hampshire Hospitals Charity aims to raise £1m to fund equipment, refurbishments, upgrades, research and more at HHFT.

The fundraiser for Hampshire Hospitals Charity is still open and can be visited at justgiving.com/page/basingstoke-childhealth-walk.