FAMILIES and friends joined together on a walk to remember loved ones and support the work of Essex hospices.

About 400 people took part in the annual Havens to Havens Walk, which set off from Little Havens Hospice in Thundersley on Sunday morning.

Participants walked along a fivemile countryside route, finishing at Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff, where they enjoyed a cream tea, before returning through Belfairs Wood.

Kevin Dann, 40, of Benfleet, took part with his partner Carly and dad Tony in memory of his mumMargaret, who died last year from pancreatic cancer.

He said: “Fair Havens supported not just mum, but the whole family before she died.

“Walking today is just a little something we can do to give back to the hospice – I’m cycling from London to Paris next!”

Havens Hospices provide care across Essex for people of all ages with serious conditions.

Event fundraiser Jane Hopkins said: “The Havens to Havens walk is always quite an emotional day for people as a majority of those taking part are doing so in memory of a loved one.

“But it is also a celebration of their lives and those who are still receiving care from both our hospices.

“Thank you to everyone who took part and raised money so we can continue providing this specialist care to those who need it.”

For more information about hospice events, visit havenshospices.org.uk/events or call 01702 221669.