VOLUNTEERS who support hospices were invited to a garden party.

Friends of Sussex Hospices hosted the party at Framfield Grange to thank the 130 volunteers who help raise funds to support all 12 Sussex hospice care providers.

The charity, run entirely by volunteers, has distributed £2.5 million since it began 23 years ago.

FSH works alongside hospices, promoting awareness of the invaluable services provided by them to our community.

Chair Kathy Gore said: “Our hospices provide crucial support to families when it is needed most.

“But they all rely on support from their local communities so we’ve established a trail to help raise funds and awareness of their vital work.”

The trail, which uses public footpaths and bridleways, is made up of 26 mapped walks, ranging in distance from three to 11 miles, linking the areas served by the 12 hospice care providers across Sussex.

The charity’s ‘Walk the Hospice Trail’ event will take place on Saturday September 15.

Walkers can take on a section and raise funds for a hospice of their choice or support all 12 by donating to FSH.

Sue Korman, who devised the trail, said: “We’re delighted to be able to leave the trail as a permanent legacy of the work of Friends of Sussex Hospices.”

Ms Gore took the opportunity to thank Duncan Stewart, Lisette Petrie, and Bruno, Lisette’s one-year-old spaniel, or walking the whole 200 mile Sussex Hospices Trail.

The event will support Chestnut Tree House, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, St Barnabas, St Catherine’s, Hospice in the Weald, Martlets, Leo House at Home, St Michael’s, St Peter and St James, The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, St Wilfrid’s (Eastbourne) and St Wilfrid’s (Chichester)

To register visit: https://www.hospicestrail.co.uk/walk-the-trail-2018/

Pictures by Graham Franks Photography