Youngsters at a mother and toddler group are taking on a sponsored one-mile walk

Children from local mother and toddler group, Play Dates and Mummy Mates, will be taking part in a sponsored one-mile toddle on Saturday, to help other youngsters.

Around 10 little ones, aged from six months to two years, will be taking on the challenge around Wyre Estuary, with their families and even some pet dogs, to raise money for Brian House Children’s Hospice.

Some of the dads will be dressing up as superheroes for the event.

The group was set up by 34-year-old Cleveleys mum Stacey Holland.

Stacey, whose son Elliott is 16 months, said: “I started the group towards the end of last year. I work part-time and I thought it would be a nice idea to create a little community for parents.

“I didn’t want to go out and do things on my own, so I decided to set up the online group and call it Play Dates and Mummy Mates.

“We have about 90 members online and about 10 to 15 who regularly meet up.

“We share news online from the local area, post about things going on in the local community, suggest activities we can do, and people give each other support and advice.

“Members of the group are from across the whole of the Fylde coast – we have members from Fleetwood, Bispham, South Shore, Poulton, all areas.

“We decided to do this charity event and we picked Brian House to benefit, because it helps so many local children.

“I have a close friend whose daughter spends a lot of time at Brian House and it really brings home to you what a fantastic job they do there.

“The staff are amazing and the help they provide local families with is wonderful.

“Although the children are only very young and won’t understand most of what’s going on, I think it’s good to teach them even from a really early age to help other people.

“You can never be too young to learn to help out others.

“A mile is going to be a long way for the children to toddle, but we wanted to do something which would be a genuine challenge.

“We have already been collecting through family, friends, Facebook and our workplaces.

“We are really grateful for the support we’ve had from Bounce Play Centre, in Bispham, and Fleetwood Golf Club, who have sponsored us, as well as everyone else who has donated.

“And we’re really looking forward to the event.”