THEY call themselves the Boozy Birds – but this group of Hampshire fundraisers ditched the wine for water on a charity walk in the blazing heat.

More than 40 people joined Annette Young on her 10km trek in aid of the Countess Mountbatten House hospice in West End.

The team set off from the Holiday Inn, Eastleigh, on Saturday towards the hospice in the glorious sunshine, where they arrived more than three hours later, having raised about £5,000.

Annette decided she wanted to give something back to the charity after several family members and loved ones benefitted from the care and support offered at the hospice.

Annette, 44, a practice manager at a GP surgery, said: “This was about my family giving something back to the hospice which has cared for our loved ones. The weather was great, although it was a little too hot at some points.

“It is a fantastic hospice which serves the community so well, looking after people during their last days and we are so lucky to have them.”

She added that it has proved such a success that they are already planning to do it all again next year.