A man from Sandford who lost his wife to cancer is walking in her memory to raise vital funds for Weston Hospicecare.

Tony Dent, aged 52, is calling on people to join him in the Weston Hospicecare's Mendip Challenge on June 7.

The annual walk is the one of the biggest fundraising events in the hospice's calendar and includes four routes between 10 and 30 miles across the Mendip Hills.

Those taking part in the gruelling 30-mile trek will start at Wells and pass through Wookey, Priddy, Draycott, Bradley Cross, Cheddar, Blackrock, Tynings Farm, Shipham, King's Wood, Crooks Peak, Loxton, Bleadon Hill and Uphill.

The charity is providing a free bus service from its base at Jackson Barstow House to the various route starting points on the day.

In addition there is also a fancy dress walk, which takes place along Weston- super-Mare seafront.

Tony has decided to take part in memory of his wife Marilyn, who was cared for at home by Hospice Community Nurses until she died on May 27, 2006. He said the hospice helped Marilyn, 55, to enjoy some of the best moments of her final days after suffering from breast cancer for a number of years.

The hospice nurses also made it possible for her to fulfil her final wish, which was to die at home with her family by her side.

Tony, a civil servant with two grown up sons, said: "The home visits from the nurses were some of the best days for Marilyn and she really looked forward to seeing them, they gave her a real boost.

"It was very important for Marilyn and for us as a family that she was able to be at home until the day she died. She didn't want to die in hospital and without the help from the Weston Hospicecare nurses, it would probably not have been possible for her to stay at home."

The community care scheme run by Weston Hospicecare, which is celebrating its 20th year, has grown from one nurse visiting people in their own homes to a team caring for 500 people making more than 2,000 visits.

While Marilyn received the best possible medical treatment from her GP and Weston General Hospital's oncology unit, Tony says the hospice nurses helped her to deal with the emotional and psychological pain.

He added: "The nurses were so understanding but also so knowledgeable and helpful in dealing with some of the practical things.

"There were so many questions we wanted to ask and things we were afraid or embarrassed to ask but they were able to answer them all.

"It wasn't just Marilyn they were helping but us as a family. You have so much on your mind at the time and they were great in dealing with all the things outside of your main focus, which is to be with your loved one.

"I would definitely urge anybody to take part in the Mendip Challenge walk, it is such an important cause and it could be a nice day out if the weather is good."

Penny Beare, fundraising and communications manager for Weston Hospicecare, said the community nurse programme is a major part of the free services the hospice offers.

For more information on the Mendip Challenge and how to sign up, log on to www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendipchallenge or call 01934 423 960.