Fundraisers who have gone above and beyond to support a hospital appeal were put into the spotlight this week.

The summer saw nearly 200 people take part in the annual Walk for Wards event run by Dorset County Hospital Charity, raising thousands for its cancer appeal.

The event saw fundraisers take on a 5km walk from Weymouth beach towards Bowleaze Cove and back in the hot sun.

But one group, who have backed the hospital's cancer appeal from day one, were given a special cup in recognition of their hard work.

The outpatients department at Dorset County Hospital managed to raise just under a whopping £1,500.

Jan Wilson, clinic coordinator for outpatients, said: "It was so important for our department to take part in the Walk for Wards event. The new radiotherapy unit at the hospital is something we are all so passionate about.

"As a team we have already raised money for the charity appeal - we raised 1,000 last year at Christmas and we thought we have to beat our record, and we did.

"Eight of us took part in the walk and we managed to raise just short of £1,500."

Gemma Harris, senior sister for outpatients, added: "It's really important for us to be able to support the cancer appeal. We want the people of west Dorset to have this facility and to be able to focus on fighting the cancer rather than putting all their energy in to travelling to Poole, sometimes on a daily basis.

"The new centre will make such a significant difference and we are so glad we can support it in reaching its funding target."

Staff at the department were presented with their cup by Sandy Jorden of Jordans Jewellers in Dorchester, who has been another avid supporter of the cancer appeal.

Rachel Cole, fundraising manager at the charity and one of the event organisers said: "Sandy has been supporting the Cancer Appeal over the last year and we can't thank her enough.

"Every year we give a cup to the top fundraising team for the Walk for Wards event and this year Sandy is sponsoring the cup."

Rachel added that it was a close call for the top fundraising team.

She said: "There were a couple of other groups that raised over 1,000. The Zumba team, who also did the warm up before the walk, managed to raise over 1,200. The Prince of Wales ward also raised a fantastic amount, as did other individual people."

The outpatients department will running a further charity event at the hospital on Wednesday, December 13 where people are being encouraged to pop in to the hospital reception and take part in a luxury raffle.

To support the appeal or other projects at the hospital contact the Charity on 01305 253215.

The Cancer Appeal is funding a Cancer Outpatients Department which is being built on top of the new Robert White Radiotherapy Unit currently under construction at the Hospital. It is part of a £9 million project bringing radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time.