THE Prince of Wales in Princetown played host to a very unusual charity event last Saturday when Barchester Healthcare held a sponsored walk for Help for Heroes and the Barchester Foundation Charity.

Staff, friends and relatives and more amazingly residents of some of their homes joined them in walks of various lengths to suit a variety of ages and abilities. People between the ages of eight and 85 years completed the walk to help raise the funds.

A wheelchair-friendly walk allowed disabled residents to take part with the assistance of care staff and more able bodied employees, friends, family and locals joined in with the expectation of raising more than £10,000. This target moved a great deal closer when Chris Vellenoweth, director of the Foundation Charity promised that the Barchester Foundation would match £ for £ every donation.

Pam Hardy, senior operations director for Barchester said: 'I am so thrilled to see so many people supporting such a great cause and I feel very proud of the residents and employees of Barchester who have given up their free time for the benefit of others.'

Barchester received phenomenal support from many of the locals in Princetown who supported them in various ways from the fantastic catering and hospitality at the Prince of Wales to the great people who supervised the walks and encouraged everyone to achieve their goal in a safe environment.