PEOPLE are being urged to pull on their walking shoes and sign up to Weston Hospicecare's annual walkathon

PEOPLE are being urged to pull on their walking shoes and sign up to Weston Hospicecare's annual walkathon.The charity is holding its Mercury Mendip Challenge on June 3 and is looking for walkers to take part in four different routes across the Mendip Hills, as well as the fancy dress hike along Weston seafront.The Weston & Somerset Mercury is sponsoring the event and organisers are hoping to raise more than £45,000 for the charity.Weston Hospicecare's Penny Beare said: "We are launching the walk now so that people can get into training and start collecting sponsorship. This is our largest fund-raising event in the calendar and we urge people to try to raise as much money as possible to support their local hospice."The charity is putting on a free bus service from its base in Uphill to the various starting points for the routes.There are walks to suit people of all ages and abilities, from a 10-mile route at Kings Wood, in Winscombe Hill, Winscombe, to a 30-mile route starting in Wells, so there is no excuse for not taking part.After the walk, which ends at the hospice's base at Jackson Barstow House in Thornbury Road, Uphill, fund-raisers will be able to enjoy a barbecue and live music.To sign up for the event visit www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendipwalk or to volunteer to help on the day call 01934 423960.