A family from Weston have raised more than £1,000 by taking part in a charity walk, in honour of their late mother.

Weston Mercury: Sponsored hospital walkSponsored hospital walk (Image: Archant)

Jacqui Merchant-Locke from Mead Vale, was diagnosed with late stage blood and bone cancer in July this year.

Less than a month later, despite the best efforts of doctors and Bristol Onocology centre, Jacqui died. She was only 64 years old.

Her daughter, Caroline Taylor said: “She lived for 27 days from diagnosis.

“Mum had flu like symptons that she felt she couldn’t shake off and went to the doctors.

Weston Mercury: Sponsored hospital walkSponsored hospital walk (Image: Archant)

“She had 22 days of chemotherapy and died on July 31.”

The 33-year-old supermarket worker from Chapel Row, in Pill, along with her brother Neil Sparkle, his husband Jay, and friends, Hannah Rimes and Alison Wilks completed the 22-mile sponsored walk from Bristol Royal Infirmary to Weston General Hospital.

Caroline’s sons Ashton, aged nine, and eight-year-old Ryan, completed part of the challenge, while her husband Brian Taylor and step-father Kevin Merchant-Locke provided support.

The walk raised cash for Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology, which helps to pay for life-saving equipment that the cancer centre at Bristol could otherwise not afford.

Weston Mercury: Sponsored hospital walkSponsored hospital walk (Image: Archant)

Caroline said: “We decided to walk from the Oncology department at Bristol Hospital where mum received her treatment to Weston General because it was the closest place to where she lived and where she would have received treatment had she gone into remission.”

The group completed the walk in 11 hours, with Neil completing the challenge on crutches after sustaining a knee injury the previous day.

Ms Taylor said: “I would like to thank everyone for their love, support, and donations, who have helped the family through this difficult time.”

The family have so far raised £1,142 for the charity but are still accepting donations via their just giving page.

Weston Mercury: Sponsored hospital walkSponsored hospital walk (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Sponsored hospital walkSponsored hospital walk (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Jacqui Merchant-LockeJacqui Merchant-Locke (Image: Archant)