MEMBERS of the community have pulled together ahead of the new local NHS charity’s first in person fundraiser.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity (UHD) is preparing for the return of their sponsored event, Walk for Wards, for which a number of local businesses, entertainers and NHS staff are supporting.

Walk for Wards will take place on Saturday September 4 and invites the community to gather in the grounds of Somerley House to take on a sponsored walk of either 3k, 5k or 10k in support of the Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch hospitals.

Following an appeal for corporate support, two local businesses have come on board to sponsor the event, Ellis Jones Solicitors taking the main gold sponsorship and 4Com supporting as silver sponsor.

Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones said: “Our local hospitals and NHS staff deserve the utmost support and appreciation. By joining forces with UHD as gold sponsor, I hope we can make this a brilliant event and raise as much money as possible for this fantastic cause."

To mark their first ever ‘in person’ event, the charity is introducing a new festival feel to the day, whereby participants can enjoy family friendly entertainment, stalls, food and live music.

Sara Fripp, fundraising manager at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, said: “We are so pleased to see our community come together to support our first mass participation event as University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

“We’ve been lucky enough to secure some entertainment through home grown UHD talent who will be taking to the event stage. We have also invited some local small businesses along to give participants the chance to shop local whilst supporting their hospitals.”

The newly formed charity now supports over 800,000 people in the Dorset area and will use funds raised to continue to support and develop areas within the hospital beyond what the NHS can fund.

Entry is £10 for adults and children under 16 can take part for free.