FAMILY and friends of a Thornbury mother who died last year are putting their best foot forward to raise money in her memory.

Sisters Liz Gibbs and Julia Wilson, along with daughter Emily Wilson, will this summer be taking part in the St Peter Hospice’s Midnight Walk.

The pair have managed to call on eight of their friends to form the all-women team, called Dashing Dollies, who will walk the streets of Bristol on Saturday, July 9.

The team will be raising money in memory of Liz and Julia’s mum Vivienne Mawson, who received care at St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol last December.

Liz said: "Mum was at the hospice for four days and I cannot praise the work they did in that time enough. The nurses there were amazing, absolute angels, so myself and the rest of the family wanted to give something back.

"It’s become a real family affair with relatives and close friends all coming together for the event. We have 11 women taking part in the walk and a further 10 men, including my dad Alan, who have volunteered to be marshalls."

The Midnight Walk starts at 10.30pm and sees women walk for 10 miles around Bristol, taking in some memorable sights of the city including the Clifton suspension bridge and the ss Great Britain.

This will be the second Midnight Walk organised by the hospice. Last year the event raised £150,000 and organisers are hoping to do even better this year but with numbers slightly down, more volunteers need to sign up for this to happen.

Jo Gibbons, head of fundraising, said: "Last year the Midnight Walk was such a success we just had to do it again. We raised a fantastic amount and everybody had such a good time.

"People really made a night of it and there was a great team spirit.

"Money raised from the event goes towards keeping the hospice running throughout the year and is vital for the charity. There’s still time to sign up so please get involved."

St Peter’s Hospice is Bristol’s only adult hospice caring for local people with incurable diseases and giving them a better quality of life. All care is provided free of charge.

Those interested in taking part in the Midnight Walk to raise vital funds for the hospice will need to register before Friday, July 2.

For more information and to register visit www.stpetershospice.org.uk/midnight-walk