FIVE hundred women are set to hit Wey-mouth seafront for a Midnight Walk in a major new charity fundraiser.

The Weldmar Hospice-care Trust aims to raise £50,000 from the 10 kilometre sponsored trek from 12am onwards on Friday, August 24.

The charity hopes to make the women-only event - between Weymouth Pavilion and Preston - an annual event.

Now they have appealed for people to sign up for the full 10 kilometre walk or a shorter version of six kilometres.

Weldmar fundraising director Caroline Nickinson said: "This is our first Midnight Walk and is the biggest event that we have organised so far.

"We already have ladies who are really keen on taking part.

"We would encourage ladies to sign up as places are limited to 500. Why not walk with a group of friends or work colleagues?

"You can also walk in memory of a loved one or just do it because you fancy it."

Mrs Nickinson added: "The main thing is that it is going to be really great fun with a great atmosphere."

Organisers aim to create a carnival atmosphere and will have stewards stationed along the route. Each entrant will be given a T-shirt to wear.

There will be a £15 admin charge per person but this will cover all costs and a goody bag with medal, gifts and vouchers.

Mrs Nickinson said: "Every penny raised in sponsorship will go towards patient care. We hope to raise £50,000."

The walk will start at midnight from Friday and is expected to take entrants between two to four hours.

Sarah Breaks and Jo Richards will start the walk and take part. The duo have raised £10,000 so far for Weldmar from their 50-mile Jo-Rassic Challenge walk along the coast for their friend Jo Davies.

There will be a wonderful prize' for the Midnight Walker who raises the most sponsorship money.

The charity needs to raise £1 million a year from fundraising events towards its £4.8 million annual costs.

The walk is open to women aged 16 years of age and over but partners and friends can volunteer to help as marshals along the route.

Organisers hope to get as many women as possible involved, especially young people. They may also hold Midnight Walks in other towns if the Weymouth event is a success.

  • To enter, contact the Weldmar fundraising office on 01305 215315.

Charity cares for so many THE charity was formed by the merger of the Joseph Weld Hospice, Trimar Hospice and CancerCare Dorset charities.

It cares for patients in north, south and west Dorset with cancer and other progressive and life-limiting conditions that need specialist help.

Staff and volunteers provide care and advice in a person's own home, for day care and in-patient care with stays at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

The Joseph Weld Hospice has 18 beds for patients with such conditions as cancer, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. It also offers planned respite care. Patients with difficult symptoms may also be admitted to bring them under control and then discharged.

Some may also go to the hospice for the last days of their illness. Almost 50 per cent of patients in the hospice go home when they are feeling more comfortable after a stay there.

Day care is provided at Trimar in Weymouth, the Joseph Weld Hospice and a new centre in Sturminster Newton.

Patients can use them for nursing and medical support as well as for companionship and as a place to meet new people and explore new interests.

Seventy per cent of the charity's services are provided in the community rather than the hospices.

Fifteen specialist nurses visit patients in their own homes, community hospitals and at the Dorset County Hospital. They offer suport and advice to patients and families but also work with district nurses, GPs and health professionals.

The charity has a Family Support Team as well as more than 200 volunteers working in the community and in the hospices.

You can download the application form here to print out and send to The Weldmar Hospice-care Trust.