A GROUP of intrepid walkers trekked 82 miles along the Jurassic coastline in Dorset to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The team, made up of staff from Smiths News, Worcester, along with their friends, have raised almost £4,000 for the hospice over the last two years. Last August they walked coast to coast along the length of Hadrian’s Wall and in 2006 they completed the Three Peaks Challenge, in which they had to climb the three highest mountains in the UK in 24 hours.

The Jurassic coast adventure took place between Saturday, August 16, and Tuesday, August 19, starting in Branscombe and finishing at Old Harry’s Rocks.

Although the team allowed themselves four days, they covered the distance in three-and-a-half. The challenge proved tougher than expected because of bad weather, but the team achieved a respectable average of 23 miles each day.

Trek organiser Luke Simons, of Barbourne, Worcester, a manager at Smiths News, said: “This stretch of the Jurassic coastline is no stroll along the beach. Steep cliffs meant it was harder than scaling Snowdon four times over.

“But the strain on our legs is nothing compared to the courage needed by youngsters coping with terminal illness. We’re aiming to smash previous records this year, raising even more for the Acorns Children’s Hospice.”

To find out more about Acorns, which has a hospice in Bath Road, Worcester, or to make a donation visit acorns.org.uk/Donate.asp