AS NORTH Devon's biggest charity event draws closer, teams are putting in the effort to make themselves stand out.

A variety of women join together to enter Nightwalk, the women-only event that raises money for the North Devon Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Some form teams with their work colleagues and one such group are know as the Tarka Totties, who are a group of 16 women and who have special T-shirts for the walk.

Many of the group, who work at Tarka Housing in Bideford, have had some connection to the North Devon Hospice while others have signed up as a way of doing their bit.

Charlotte Hewins, 25, from Northam, has tackled Nightwalk once before and is looking forward to doing the event with such a big group.

She said: "A few of us did it two years ago after I said I wanted to do it but needed others to join me – it just seems to have escalated from there really.

"My grandad died of cancer when I was very young so I don't remember a lot but back then there was definitely not as much support as there is today so I think it is important to do events such as Nightwalk so the improved care can keep going."

Charlotte said she had been up to the hospice recently as her husband's grandfather died there at the end of last year and her mother-in-law is a nurse at the hospice and as a result she knows what an amazing service they provide.

One of Charlotte's colleagues and fellow Tarka Tottie, Tricia Shaw, also experienced what life was like for those suffering from terminal illnesses before the days of the hospice when her dad died from cancer more than 30 years ago.

She said: "The last few weeks of his life were spent in a hospital in central London, to which I remember travelling daily by train, tube and bus to visit.

"Although the staff were kind and caring it still felt just like a hospital – not geared up to long term care of the terminally ill to the standard we expect today at North Devon's great facility."

Gerard Fawcitt, from North Devon Hospice's fundraising team, said: "The Tarka Totties are sure to have a fantastic time at Nightwalk because they have already got right into the spirit."

He added: "Every person who signs up for Nightwalk will be making a difference to lives of patients and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses – so thank you to those who have already registered, and if you haven't yet done so, we look forward to hearing from you."

To enter Nightwalk, visit www.nightwalk.co.uk, call 01271 347224 or 01271 347204 or email nightwalk@northdevonhospice.org.uk.