WALKERS united to help raise £8,000 for a town hospice in memory of their loved ones.

The seventh annual Walk of Thoughts event took place yesterday, with around 150 walkers completing the six mile promenade for St Elizabeth Hospice.

Heading out from Woolverstone Hall, walkers took the opportunity to remember a friend or loved one.

The walk was also a chance to enjoy walking in the picturesque surroundings alongside the River Orwell.

Some of the fundraisers wrote the name of their loved one on pebbles provided by the hospice and were given a seed bookmark to plant in memory of their loved one when they returned home.

Before the group set out on the walk there was an opportunity for reflection led by hospice chaplaincy volunteer Ann Baeppler.

Walk of Thoughts organiser Emily Sullivan, of St Elizabeth Hospice, said she was delighted the walk had raised £8,000.

She said: “It was a lovely spring day and great to see so many supporters turning out for the Hospice. Thank you to all the walkers - and the many volunteers who helped on the day.”

Mrs Sullivan also thanked the Butt and Oyster pub in Pin Mill, which kindly allowed the Hospice to use their patio as a refreshments stop, and Ipswich High School.

The money raised will help hospice staff to provide vital services, which cost £8.7million a year.