Sisters help raise Â£8k for hospice with a walk around Ashford-in-the-Water

Ruby and Kitty Pearce with friends Arabella Clarke and Annabel and Edward Maynard and hospice mascot Ashley the Bear

Two sisters have raised thousands of pounds with their second annual fundraiser.

More than £8,000 has been raised from Ruby and Kitty’s Winter Walk, which took place on Saturday.

Family and friends took part in the fun walk that started from the Bulls Head at Ashford-in-the-Water.

Lauranne Pearce, Ruby and Kitty’s mum, said: “It was a fantastic day and over 350 people turned out to do the walk which was phenomenal - I am one very proud mummy.”

The walk was set up last year by Ruby, to thank Ashgate Hospicecare for looking after her auntie, Julie Colton.

Julie was cared for by the hospice during the last few months of her life having bravely battled a brain tumour for six years.

During the walk fundraisers were joined by Ashgate’s mascot bear Ashley.

Lauranne said: “Ruby is only nine-years-old and Kitty is six, but they have worked so hard to do such a big event.”

Ruby and Kitty Pearce with friends Arabella Clarke and Annabel and Edward Maynard

More than £20,000 has been raised from both events.

After the walk there was a children’s entertainer, disco and a raffle.

Lauranne added: “I lost my sister and the girls lost their auntie, but her memory lives on with the walk.

“The fact that Ruby and Kitty wanted to give something back just reflects how kind and generous they are.”