MORE than 1,100 staff and students took part in Lytchett Minster School’s annual Sandwalk, in a bid to raise £20,000.

Funds raised at Friday’s (July 6) event, which took place along Bournemouth and Poole’s beaches, will go towards the Poole Hospital Charity and CLIC Sargent.

Organisers Simon Wyatt and Jo Biddle said: “All students were invited to take part in the day and it is very rare for us to leave anybody in school when the option is a walk along the beach for a good cause.

CLIC Sargent is planning to open a new ‘Home from Home’ project, called Jean’s House, in Southampton this autumn.

It is hoped this will provide free accommodation for young patients and their families during cancer treatment at nearby specialist Southampton Hospital.

Jean’s House will have seven en-suite family bedrooms, two open plan kitchen/diners, two lounges and a teenagers’ space, helping families spend more time together and avoid travel and accommodation costs.

Liz Blunt, CLIC Sargent fundraising engagement manager for Dorset, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to organisers Simon Wyatt, Jo Biddle, the Student Voice Charity Committee and the pupil who kindly nominated our charity so that we can help more local children and young people with cancer with our new ‘Home from Home’.

The new home will replace the charity’s existing Home from Home at CLIC Haven which opened in the grounds of Southampton Hospital in 1991 and has supported thousands of families.

Jean’s House has been specially-designed to be bigger and better than before, offering more space and comfort for families.

Visit clicsargent.org.uk/movinghomesouthampton for further information.