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Over 150 dedicated fundraisers gathered along Southend seafront on Sunday 22 September to take part in the annual Walk for Wards to support their local hospital.

Each year walkers take on the popular 7km seafront stroll to raise money for a Trust ward or department of their choice. Friends, families, and work colleagues started their Sunday early to take part in the walk, collectively hoping to raise over £10,000 for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity and helping to improve the ward environment and buy equipment.

Helping the event to take a step closer to that figure were the Trust’s recruitment team, who were walking for Southend Hospital’s Estuary ward in memory of their colleague Kim Smith who passed away earlier this year.

Lee Brown, Director of Workforce Services, said: “Our team signed up to this year’s Walk for Wards in celebration of Kim, as she was a great friend of ours and is missed enormously. The team on the Estuary ward provided such great care to Kim and her family towards the end so we couldn’t think of a more deserving ward to fundraise for.”

Despite the weather, the event was another great success, and each walker left the day with a medal of thanks for fundraising for their local hospitals.

Lucy Thomas-Clayton, Director of Charity and Voluntary Services, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many of our supporters back for another year of Walk for Wards. Being such a fun and family-friendly day, it’s by far one of our most popular events.

“Once again, our local community’s support has overwhelmed us and it’s always wonderful to see our regular participants as well as the first timers that have made the effort and commitment to raise funds for their local hospital. Our thanks go out to every one of them, the response never fails to amaze us.

“I’d also like to thank our event supporters Adventure Island, their ongoing support of our charity and hospitals is something we are extremely grateful for.”