HOSPICE staff and volunteers have walked 8,000 miles to help Inverclyde meet a big challenge.

The much loved local charity has joined the Inverclyde Million Mile Challenge.

Nurses, administration staff and those who volunteer in the hospice have all signed up along the way.

Thanks to the hard work of people like can collector Carol Bateman they have managed to clock up millions of footsteps.

Hospice volunteer Carol, 58, of Greenock said: “I love walking so it is great to be part of the challenge.

“I do about 20,000 a day collecting cans, as well as walking the Esplanade. I always walk whenever I can.”

The hospice was one of the first organisations to get on board the challenge, led by Inverclyde HSCP and fronted by the provost.

By June this year people in Inverclyde who are taking part will have walked one million miles in total.

Hospice head of people and transformation Veronica Harper is leading the walking group.

She said: “We are delighted to be part of Inverclyde Million Mile Challenge. We are encouraging walking as part of our Healthy Working Lives so this fits in very well.”

The Inverclyde Million Miles team member Mags Williams, who is a health improvement officer with Inverclyde HSCP, thanked the hospice for their support.

She said: “I just want to congratulate the Hospice for helping us reach this milestone. We are definitely well on our way to meeting the target.” 

The Million Miles challenge was launched in Inverclyde by Provost Robert Moran last year.

They are now edging closer to the half way mark with more organisations coming on board.