A GROUP of 30 walkers set off today for a 30-mile walk as a tribute to the places that have helped shape their lives.

Instead of celebrating their birthdays with a party, Gerardine Cranny’s twin sons David and Trevor Stimpson have decided to raise funds.

The twins, about to reach 21, were born four weeks prematurely and lived for the first month of their lives in the Special Care Baby Unit at Dorset County Hospital.

Because of Gerardine and her husband Trevor Stimpson’s gratitude, the family has been holding fundraising events ever since to show a token of their appreciation for the care they received.

When the twins grew up and attended St Augustine’s School and All Saints School, Geraldine was overjoyed that her sons loved their educational experience there as much as she did. So now the family and their close friends are embarking on a walk from their house in Wyke Regis to Portland today. Tomorrow they are trekking to the hospital in Dorchester.

Gerardine said: “Instead of having parties we decided to plan a walk that meant something to all of us and fundraise for the places that meant so much to us. The three places have made us all what we are today and I’m so grateful.”

All the money raised will go to the unit at Dorset County Hospital and the two schools – St Augustine’s School and All Saints. You can donate to the walkers taking part in the Cranny Stimpson walk by dropping in cash or a cheque, made payable to Ms Cranny, to the Dorset