More than 500 people in Everest walking challenge

More than 500 people are taking part in a community fundraising walking challenge to help support a Guernsey hospice.

The Everest Challenge sees teams or individuals walk up the Val De Terres hill 115 times in January, which is equivalent to the height of Mount Everest.

Les Bourgs Hospice said the funding will help with its £1.8m annual running costs after a "challenging year" financially in 2024.

Fundraising administrator Liz Stonebridge said: "We are very grateful for being chosen as the charity for the challenge this year."

She added: "We have got increasing costs due to complexity of care needs.

"We've got a very generous public and there are similar events every weekend that people can support.

"This is an amazing way that people can support the hospice, in a different activity."

Jess Vanderlinden's father was cared for at Les Bourgs Hospice and is taking part in the climb.

"It's a charity close to our hearts," she said.

"We thought this was a good challenge to try and get us fit for the start of the year."

She added: "Every charity is struggling with the pinch so anyway we can help raise funds is a good thing to do."

11-year-old Joseph and 13-year-old Thomas are taking on the challenge walking because their mum used to be a nurse at the hospice.

"It's fun but it's also quite tiring," Thomas said.

"Our mum told us about it and we're doing it with her as she used to work at the hospice."

Val de Terres is a hill about 0.8km (0.5 miles) long in St Peter Port, and the steepest climb in Guernsey.

People can sign up to take part in the challenge at any point in January.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].