TWO friends are organising a sponsored walk with a special theme to raise money for the hospital which helped a much-loved family member before she died.

Danielle Austin and Lauren Kitching are looking to help the intensive care unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital by walking around Darlington.

The “Egyptian Queen” themed walk is being held in memory of Ms Kitching’s great aunt, Deborah Roberts, who spent a short period of time in the unit, before she died in the weeks before Christmas last year.

Ms Kitching decided to raise money for Darlington Memorial after being impressed by the work carried out by staff from the intensive care unit.

The 22-year-old said: “My great aunt spent her final days there, and another member of my family received fantastic support after giving birth, so we want to support them and all the fantastic work they do.”

She added: “I want to give back to the people that helped her and my family out through this horrible time."

The 25 mile walk will be held on Saturday, February 18 starting at 10am and will take place around the outskirts of Darlington.

The planned route will see the walkers head from the hospital towards Burtree Gate, before heading along Salters Lane North and Whinfield Road towards Great Burdon.

They will then walk along the side of the A66 and onto Yarm Road, before passing South Park and heading back towards the hospital via Blackwell and Carmel Road North.

Ms Kitching said the family chose an Egyptian Queen theme because her great aunt would always choose that particular outfit as her preferred fancy dress costume.

“We will be aiming to walk the outskirts of Darlington doing 20-25 miles in total and would like it if people could possibly join us for parts of the walk if they feel able to” she said.

“If they also feel like they want to raise their own funds for the intensive care unit at the hospital also, that would be great.

“We would like to get as much help and support for this event as possible.

"Any donation big or small would be greatly appreciated and it would go towards a really good cause."

Anyone interested in taking part in the walk or sponsoring the event should visit www.gofundme.com/darlington-intensive-care-unit. A map of the planned route can also be found by visiting the donation page.