A team of employees from Dorset Tesco stores will be taking on a ten-mile walk to help a children's hospice.

The 20 Tesco employees, led by store manager Justin Kline, will set out on a ten-mile walk on Thursday, June 22 to raise money for Dorset children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.

Justin’s daughter Sophie was just eight-years-old when she died from a brain tumour and since 2015, Justin has helped raised more than £173,000 in recognition of the care she received from Julia’s House.

Justin is a Parent Trustee and Ambassador for Julia’s House. He has scheduled the walk to coincide with Children’s Hospice Week, which aims to raise awareness and funds for children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK.

Justin said: “The support that Julia’s House provides to families with a seriously ill child is exceptional.

“They provide clinical and respite care for the child but are also on hand to offer practical and emotional support to parents and siblings who are dealing with the unimaginable.

"I continue to support Julia’s House in whatever way I can so that other families can benefit from their dedicated and compassionate care.”

In 2015 Justin walked 100km and past 33 Tesco stores to raise money for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

Tesco and Tesco Express stores across Dorset have also been holding collections for Julia’s House, while their Hampshire-based colleagues are raising funds for their local children’s hospice, Naomi House.

The walk sets off from the Tesco Fleetsbridge store in Poole at 8am, following a circuitous route that takes in a stop at the Julia’s House charity shop in Poole High Street.

Caroline Attreed, Corporate fundraiser for Julia’s House, said: “Justin is an incredible support to us all at Julia’s House. You only have to look at what he has taken on in his fundraising to see how important it is to him. He’s trekked with us to the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu and has encouraged his Tesco colleagues to join him in all sorts of fundraising activities locally.

"I would like to wish Justin and his colleagues all the very best for their walk and thank them wholeheartedly for their support during this Children’s Hospice Week. It really will make all the difference to the families across Dorset who rely on Julia’s House.”

Julia’s House is your local Dorset children’s hospice. It relies on public donations, fundraising and legacies for around 92 per cent of the money needed to keep running its vital service.

You can lend your support to the team from Tesco by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/tescowalkdorset2023