CARERS joined the people they look after to raise almost £800 in a sponsored walk.

About 70 staff and users of the company Regard, which provides residential care for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and brain injuries, walked from Sandbanks to Bournemouth Pier and raised £796.95.

The total will be shared between children’s hospice Julia’s House and Autistica, which supports medical research into Autism.

Event organiser Lindsey Cooke, regional co-ordinator for Regard, said: “In April last year, our south region took part in a Regard sponsored walk in Richmond Park to highlight World Autism Awareness Day and everyone enjoyed it so much that we decided to do another one.

“The weather was great on the day, we had lunch on the beach and everyone had a fantastic time.”

And Daun Tattersall, Regard’s south director, added: “To have raised so much money for two very worthy causes is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved in the walk.

“We’re very grateful for all who so generously sponsored us.”