WEYMOUTH Esplanade turned into a sea of blue t-shirts as dozens of walkers took on a walk to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Samuel Bates, 11, together with 45 family and friends, proudly marched to the finish line at Weymouth Pavilion on Sunday afternoon, after walking five miles in support of the charity.

Samuel’s dad Spencer, the talented drummer from band Balance of Power, battled the condition but passed away in August, 2011, aged 49.

The group wore blue MNDA charity t-shirts and walked from Weymouth Pavilion to the Oasis Café and back behind the banner they had made, which read: ‘We are walking to raise money to help beat Motor Neurone Disease.’ The group stopped at the café and ate cakes donated by Dorset Cake Company, before heading back to the Pavilion.

Samuel and his friends handed out stickers to everyone who donated. Passers-by waved, cheered and clapped as the group walked past.

Samuel said the walk had gone really well and hearing everyone clapping and cheering was great. He said: “It made me feel proud.”

He added: “I’d like to thank everyone that donated some money and I’d like to say thank you to all my friends and family for making it such a fabulous day.”

Proud mum Nicky Bates said that with everyone’s donations they raised £600 just on the day.

She said she was delighted by the response they had received and thanked everyone for their kind donations.

The £600 will be added to the total from the group’s Just Giving Page and the sponsorship collected by all Samuel’s family and friends. Wyke Regis Infant School, where Samuel’s brother Isaac goes, did a collection for MNDA at the leaver’s assembly at the end of term and raised £168.

Currently the total stands at £1,091.19 and the final amount will be calculated soon.

Tickets are still available for Spenstock 6, a Day at the Races, which will take place tomorrow at Weymouth Pavilion from 6.45pm.

There will also be an evening of Mediumship with Bernie Scott on Thursday from 7.30pm.

For tickets or more information about either event call Mary Bates on 07979 494649 or Nicky Bates on 07838 019356.

To donate via Just Giving to Samuel’s walk visit justgiving.com/Lisa-Brown31