THE ninth Great Somerset Walk in aid of St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice is on Sunday, May 18.

The walk, initiated by Roz and Keith Beattie, has so far raised more than £250,000.

Walker Joanne Kyte, and colleagues Anne Tucker, Jane Smith, Sally Martin, Deb Quarrier and Carolyn Burns, from North Petherton Surgery, came to it in a unique way.

They volunteered to man the checkpoint at Maunsel Lock five years ago after someone pulled out at the last minute.

Then last year they did the actual walk from Bridgwater YMCA to the hospice in Heron Drive, Bishop’s Hull.

Joanne said: “This year, another member of staff will be joining us to do the same route and we’re really looking forward to it.

“Arm twisting has never been needed – as part of our daily lives at the surgery we’re all well aware of the wonderful work of the hospice.

“North Petherton Surgery has supported St Margaret’s for as long as we can remember.”

The surgery also sells second-hand books supplied and bought by patients, Christmas cards and calendars, raising around £1,900 last year.

Dr Mark Howell is running the London Marathon for the hospice, as he did in 2012.

Joanne said: “As far as we’re all concerned St Margaret’s is one very worthy cause.”

Walkers can start from any of nine registration points in the county – the shortest leg is four miles and the whole route is 45 miles.

It costs £5 to register with under-16s free. For details or to sign up, see www.great somersetwalk.co.uk or call 0845-3459671.