THE YOUNG and old stood side by side at the first ever Weldmar Memory Mile Walk.

The inaugural walk raised £340 and attracted 47 participants who strolled in memory of loved ones from Weymouth’s Sandsfoot Castle, along the Rodwell Trail to Ferrybridge and back again.

After the stroll, walkers enjoyed complimentary refreshments at the tranquil gardens in the setting of the historic castle ruins, which overlook Portland Harbour.

Weldmar Hospicecare’s events fundraising manager Sue Leighton said it was a fabulous day, made even better by the good weather.

She said: “The idea was that people would get an opportunity to do a family friendly walk in memory of a loved one.

“It was beautiful weather where like-minded people could enjoy a day together all for the same purpose.

“I was really pleased with the turnout to the first event so we’d like to build on that support and make it an annual event.

We had almost 50 walkers and it was really nice for the people who took part, they were all in a like mind, doing it in memory of friends and family. It was a happy occasion, it wasn’t sombre at all and people were also able to sign our Memory Mile Book of Remembrance, so we had some lovely touching messages in that.

“A total of £340 was raised which will go straight to help the patient care at the hospice.”

The walk was a particularly poignant occasion for three generations of Patrick Sims’ family who came from Dorset, Bristol and Cwmbran, Wales, to take part in Sunday’s event.

Mr Sims, 70, of Yetminster, near Sherborne, said: “My wife Patricia passed away on April 3 this year.

“She was cared for by Weldmar and they were absolutely brilliant, I can’t praise them highly enough for what they did for her.

“Nine members of my family took part in the Memory Mile, the youngest was my grandson Harry, aged nine, and I was the oldest.

“The weather was excellent, it couldn’t have been better.

“It was nice to be able to look out on the sea, none of us knew anything about Sandsfoot Gardens and the castle there.

“It was really poignant for us to take part in the walk in Patricia’s memory, it was a really nice morning which we followed up with a family lunch.”