STAFF at a Hampshire hospice have launched their major fundraiser of the year.

The Naomi House hospice team were at Winchester Cathedral to launch the the seventh Clarendon Way Walk.

The 26-mile route takes walkers from Winchester to Salisbury cathedrals and hospice staff are keen to recruit participants.

Naomi House at Sutton Scotney, near Winchester, cares for children with life-limiting conditions and relies on donations to provide its services.

Events coordinator Felicity Patterson said: “This is our flagship event.

"Considering we need to raise £7m each year to provide services we want as many people to get involved as possible.”

About 850 people took part last year but Miss Patterson said the hospice was aiming for more than 1,000 walkers for the event on June 2.

Some of the hospice’s staff are taking part too, including corporate fundraiser Lauren Shields.

She said: “I’m looking forward to this challenge as it’s a big event and as employees we want to get involved and see the event from a donor’s perspective. I want to say a big thank you to those who have signed up and the best way to do that is if I’m there with them.”