�Teaching assistants from a Hornchurch secondary school are leaving their classrooms behind to take part in the fourth St Francis Hospice Star Trek walk – many for the first time.

The team of nine from The Sanders Draper School, in Suttons Lane, are joining the hundreds of women expected to take part in the charity walk on Saturday, July 7.

Susan Barber, team leader, who took part in last year’s midnight walk with fellow team member Julie Hewston, said: “It was an enjoyable evening so we decided to get a team together to represent the school and raise money for such an excellent cause as the hospice.”

Julie, who has a rare cancer and has benefited from the support of the Havering-atte-Bower-based charity, said: “The help that I have received from the hospice has meant I am able to continue working. I know that if I need anything, the nurses or medical staff at the hospice are just a telephone call away.”

Specialist care

Teaching assistant Sally Brooks, who is taking part in the event for the first time, said: “I watched the walk last year as my daughter lives in Romford and it looked like fun so I decided to take part with my colleagues.

“I think St Francis Hospice is an important charity because of the specialist care it provides people affected by life-limiting illness.”

Head teacher John McEachern said: “The team have the full support from the Sanders Draper School community and I hope many staff will sponsor them in their efforts.”

You can still sign up to join the 10km walk, which starts and finishes at The Liberty Shopping Centre, in Romford, and is well-lit and fully marshalled. There promises to be a real party atmosphere with street dancers, a Zumba demonstration, a pre-walk warm up from Gymophobics staff and even a Michael Buble tribute act to keep everyone in song.

n To book, visit www.sfh.org.uk, email walk@sfh.org.uk or call 01708 771427. Places are �15 each and include a medal and goody bag.