AROUND 450 people are hoping to have raised a combined £35,000 for St Margaret’s Hospice through their efforts in last Sunday’s Great Somerset Walk.

They put on their hiking boots and covered routes of their own choice ranging from three or four miles to much further.

And they enjoyed beautiful sunny weather during the event, which featured a total of nine checkpoints.

Sam Stewart, director of development at Bishop’s Hull-based St Margaret’s, who did the walk, said: “We had a fantastic time and really enjoyed seeing Somerset at its best.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took part for making the day such a success.”

Meanwhile excitement is mounting among 18,000 music fans ahead of the Total Triumph-sponsored Rod Stewart concert being run by St Margaret’s at Taunton’s County Ground on Wednesday, June 18.

It’s helped jog a few memories for Alan and Christine Hammond, of Bishops Lydeard, who bumped into the rock legend while sailing to New York on the QM2 a few years ago.

She said: “We enjoyed a friendly chat with him and found him to be a nice guy. When we hear his record ‘Sailing’ it brings back that great memory of meeting him.”

The last few tickets and hospitality packages to see Rod Stewart are available from www.ticketline.co.uk or 0844-8889991.