A hospice is encouraging people to don their walking boots and take part in a charity hike across three counties.

St Luke’s Hospice’s ‘Annual Walk’ will cover the South Downs Way from May 3 to May 7.

The challenge is structured in such a way that walkers will be able to cover a distance which matches their ability; they can choose how far they go each day.

Taking in a three or five day route through the South Downs National Park – traversing Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex and finishing at the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head – participants will help raise vital funds that allow the hospice to function.

St Luke’s requires £3.5 million from the public each year to ensure that it operates effectively.

It achieves this through charitable donations, fundraising drives and various challenges such as the Annual Walk.

An information evening regarding this year’s event will be held at the hospice, in Kenton Road, on January 24 at 7pm.

To book a place at the evening, visit www.stlukes-hospice.org/southdownsway or call 020 8382 8112.