St Clare Hospice's twelfth annual Winter Walkies saw 100 dogs come out

Known as Winter Walkies, 250 walkers and their pets left the gates of the Hastingwood-based hospice for a sponsored five kilometre countryside stroll.

Once all the sponsorship money has been collected, it is hoped £5,000 will have been raised for the facility, which helps hundreds of people in West Essex each year.

There were plenty of wagging tails as the pets and their owners set off at 11.00am, making their way down into Hastingwood and a."oss the Essex countryside.

Amongst the participants was St Clare Patron, Dame Claire Bertschinger DBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, who took part with her two Bichon Frise.

She said: “Winter Walkies is a great community event. I can’t think of a nicer way to raise funds for St Clare than by taking part in a walk with dozens of other dog lovers and their pets across the beautiful countryside around the Hospice.

"My dogs loved being with so many other dogs of all shapes and sizes, and it was actually very moving to see hundreds of people gathered in support of St Clare.”

At the head of the pack was the winner of the Cutest Canine competition, Milo the Cockapoo puppy.

Emma Broadbent, event organiser and St Clare challenges and events fundraiser, said: “This was the twelfth year that we have organised Winter Walkies and it continues to be our best loved event, with hundreds of four-legged friends and their humans taking part. It really was a sight to see so many happy wagging tails held aloft as the dogs set off out the Hospice gate.

“It was a privilege to organise such a fun event and to see so many people from our local community joining forces to help raise money and awareness for their local hospice. We’d like to thank everyone who came along or supported the event, helping us raise much-needed funds so we can provide our skilled and compassionate care to every local family who needs us – and we look forward to setting the bar even higher for next year."