A WEYMOUTH care assistant will swap the hospital for hiking as she takes on a three-day trek around Mont Blanc in memory of her dad.

Michele Molyneux, 46, has worked at Dorset County Hospital for 20 years and lives in Weymouth with her son Michael Armstrong, her partner Colin Smith and his two daughters.

Miss Molyneux lost her father Mike, who spent the last stages of his life in Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’s Joseph Weld Hospice, in November 2013.

She said seeing Weldmar’s work first hand has inspired her to take on the fundraising trip.

Michele, together with 12 other supporters, will take on Weldmar’s Mont Blanc Trek to raise money for the Dorset charity.

The five day trip from August 5 to August 9 will take her and the rest of the group from the massif of Mont Blanc through the seven valleys which extends through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Michele said: “I’ve raised £500 so far but need to raise £1,700 to be able to go on the trip.

“When you’re raising money for something close to your heart you want to raise as much money as you possibly can to give something back.

“My family and friends have all been really supportive. I would encourage anyone thinking of doing a similar thing for a charity that has really helped them to definitely give it a go.”

Michele, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the Anthony Nolan charity in 2000, is also holding a tea party at 293 Dorchester Road on June 6 in an effort to raise more money for the fundraising trip.

The tea party will take place from 1pm until 4pm with a raffle, plant sale, refreshments and cakes.

Matt Smith, community and events fundraising manager for Weldmar, will also be taking on the Mont Blanc challenge with the group.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust provides specialist palliative care across Dorset and supports people affected by cancer and other life-limiting diseases.

The trust also provides respite services free of charge and 75 per cent of Weldmar’s funds are raised locally.

Matt will be keeping a blog of the trip so that the group’s friends and family members can track their progress.

The Mont Blanc challenge is the third trip that has been made for Weldmar, with the first two being in Iceland and the Sahara Desert.

Matt said: "For many people the fundraising part of this is the biggest challenge despite taking on this kind of adventure.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and the team should be really proud of themselves."

To donate to Michele’s challenge visit justgiving.com/Michele-Molyneux1/

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