STAFF and patients from the dermatology department at Basingstoke hospital donned their walking shoes to raise money for skin condition charities.

About 20 north Hampshire people took part in the Walk for Skin in the New Forest in support of the British Skin Foundation, The Psoriasis Association and the National Eczema Society.

The local team raised about £1,400 from the sponsored four-and-a-half-mile walk between Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard, on Sunday, May 14.

Tracy Bond, a dermatology specialist nurse, and her deputy Amanda Cussen were among those who took part. They run a day treatment unit at Basingstoke hospital for patients with skin conditions - mainly psoriasis and eczema.

Mrs Bond said: "We cannot cure these conditions, but we can make them manageable.

"Eight million people in the UK suffer from some form of skin disease and people suffer physically and psychologically.

"The skin is the largest, most visible organ in the body and, when something goes wrong, you can see it. People often forget that."

Staff from the dermatology department are also hoping to set up a support group for sufferers of skin conditions.