More than 1,000 people took on an epic seaside stroll under the blazing sunshine in support of an Essex charity.

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

The Pier to Pier walk between Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze raised an enormous £60,000 for St Helena Hospice today.

Participants completed a sponsored seven or 14-mile trek along the coast on what was the warmest weekend of the year so far.

The event is an annual feature in St Helena Hospice’s calendar.

Indi Allen, the charity’s events and challenges manager, thanked all those who took part.

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

She added: “We are delighted that once again so many local people came out to support us by taking part in our Pier to Pier walk and what an amazing day to come together to enjoy a seaside stroll.”

St Helena Hospice relies on donations to bring in the £6.2 million needed a year to run its services for terminally ill people and their families.

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)

East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTERSupporters take on the 2018 Pier to Pier walk between Clacton and Walton for St Helena Hospice. Picture: ZACH WHITTER (Image: ZACH WHITTER)