MEET the ‘Mac Sisters with Blisters’ who are on a mission to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

A team of more than 20 palliative nurses and support workers, including some who are new to exercise, are taking on sporting challenges to help raise money for a new purpose built care unit – and now they have called for the public's help.

The close-knit team from Macmillan Caring Locally has just weeks to go until they take on challenges including a 10 mile run, a collective 10 mile swim and a 10 mile bike ride next month but now they have their sights on raising £10,000.

The team, who care for terminally ill patients at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital and at patients’ homes through home visits, say they are passionate about palliative care and the money will go to much-needed facilities for patients and families at the end of life.

As previously reported, Macmillan Caring Locally, which has no connection to the national charity, will soon launch a multi-million pound fundraising appeal for a new two-storey unit to provide specialist, palliative care to anyone with advanced, progressive, incurable illnesses including cancer, motor neurone disease or heart and lung conditions as well as giving support to families, carers and friends.

Angie Brooks, an MDT facilitator who has worked at the unit for more than 11 years, said: “We have now established our own triathlon of events and we recently said we want to aim high and try to raise £10,000 for a cause so close to our hearts because it is the first time ever so many members of staff have wanted to join in.

“The Macmillan Unit has the very best people working there. At any one time there are 300 patients on our books and there are a number of facilities for patients.

“Everyone has pulled together, there has been a fantastic team spirit and we are determined to all raise as much as we can for our new unit.”

The team has also been busy planning a number of fundraising events including a quiz, afternoon tea at The Grove Hotel, raffles and a car boot sale.

To support the team go to justgiving.com/fundraising/macsisterswithblisters