FIFTY walkers, with and without dogs, will be taking to the fields and lanes of a Hampshire village to raise funds for a family support charity.

The charity dog walk, in aid of Homes Start Winchester, will take place on Thursday, April 13 in Kilmeston and was launched as an annual fundraiser in 2012.

Home-Start events chair, Chrissie Barlow, will be bringing her best friend and red setter Reillly, who she relishes the countryside around the village.

Chrissie said: “It’s always a great opportunity to meet old friends and enjoy a walk in the spring sunshine. Dogs are not compulsory and people can come for the exercise or even just for lunch.”

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The fundraising get-together is sponsored by Gay Dog Boarding Kennels in Alresford.

Director Dan Bliss will be bringing his canine chum Cody the Lurcher.

Dan said: “This is our sixth year of sponsoring the walk and we are very happy to be supporting Home-Start and the work that the charity does with young families in the area who are struggling to cope.”

The walk is on Thursday, April 13 beginning at Kilmeston Village Hall. Walkers are asked to arrive for 10.30am ahead of the 10.45am departure.

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There will be two walks of different lengths including some stiles and a ploughman’s lunch will be ready to welcome walkers on their return with a choice of four home-made soups.

Tickets cost £12 and can be booked by emailing info@home-startwinchester.org.uk, calling 07776 041574 or online with an 84p booking fee at ticketsource.co.uk/home-start-winchester-districts.

Home-Start Winchester supports young families who are struggling with issues such as disabilities, mental health problems, homelessness, lone parenting, isolation or unemployment. Families are referred by GPs, health visitors and social workers and supported at home with weekly visits by trained Home-Start volunteers. For more go to home-start-winchester.org.uk/.