Staff from a Worle school are joining forces to take part in Weston Hospicecare’s Midnight Beach Walk.

Colleagues from St Mark’s Primary School decided to sign up for the event in memory of a fellow member of staff who was cared for by the hospice before her death.

Andrea Davis, who works in a pastoral role at the school, wanted to take part in the event to celebrate her 50th birthday and she encouraged fellow employees to join her.

More: Fundraisers can sign up for Midnight Beach Walk.

She said: “My main motivation to take part came from a past beloved colleague and treasured friend from our school who unfortunately became ill and passed away several years ago.

“We used to attend the same zumba class and she always encouraged me to keep on exercising and finding new challenges.

“Every year since she passed away both my daughter, Summer Davis (aged 18), and I have completed a charity challenge.

“We have taken part in a range of events such as the hospice’s Mendip Challenge, to the 13-mile Bristol Half Marathon for the Children’s Hospice South West and the 26-mile London midnight moon walk.

“I also decided to support Weston Hospicecare for my 50th birthday as I feel extremely lucky to have led a healthy lifestyle.

“Also, my own family have benefitted from the support and services of the hospice.

“Last year Summer joined the Royal Marines Band Service and is now often away from home so I decided to put a note up in the staff room to see if any colleagues would like to join me for the Midnight Beach Walk and I was very pleased to find 22 signatures to join me and represent St Mark’s Primary School.”

The Midnight Beach Walk is for women only and it starts and finishes at the Tropicana on Friday.

The fundraising event has been sponsored by the Grand Pier for the third consecutive year.

Last year 342 women completed the route, raising a total of £26,553 to support the hospice. People can still sign up on the night, with registration opening at 10pm.

More: Hundreds of people remember loved ones in Weston Hospicecare’s Midnight Beach Walk.

The hospice receives a fifth of its funding from the NHS so relies on support from the community to continue delivering care to those with life-limiting illnesses.