A GROUP of intrepid girl guides is preparing to swap uniforms for walking gear to trek in the Mercury Mendip Challenge. The 14 girls from 24th Weston Guides, all aged from 10-14, will be walking for 10 miles at the event on June 3, to help raise vital fun

A GROUP of intrepid girl guides is preparing to swap uniforms for walking gear to trek in the Mercury Mendip Challenge.The 14 girls from 24th Weston Guides, all aged from 10-14, will be walking for 10 miles at the event on June 3, to help raise vital funds for Weston Hospicecare.The girls will be accompanied by three guide leaders and two of the guides' mums for the challenge, which is being supported by the Weston & Somerset Mercury.Anne Jones, who has been a guide leader for 20 years, said: "This will be the sixth time our group has taken part in the walk but it is the first time so many guides have signed up for the event. "The hospice is a fantastic facility and lots of people are touched by the service it offers."We are all taking part in the 10-mile route, which starts near Winscombe and finishes in Uphill, and are hoping to raise as much money as possible for the charity." People are still needed to sign up for the challenge and there are three other routes available to walkers, a 30-mile route starting from Wells, a 20-mile walk from Cheddar, a 15-mile route from Shipman, as well as a five-mile fancy dress route along Weston seafront.The charity is providing a free bus service from its Jackson Barstow House to the various route starting points on the day. After the walk, which ends at the hospice, there will be a barbecue with live music.Anyone who wants to take part in the Mercury Mendip Challenge can visit the website www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendipwalk or call 01934 423900 for more details and an entry form.Forms are also available from Weston Hospicecare's shops in Weston, Worle, Winscombe and Cheddar, the Mercury's reception desk in Waterloo Street, and the charity's headquarters in Uphill.