SISTERS aged just six and three and are going to take part in a major walk to raise money in the memory of their beloved grandmother.

Their father, David Hughes, 34, from Billingham, has also recruited a further 20 family members and friends to raise money for cancer charity Marie Curie in the name of his mother, Brenda Hughes, 63, who died in May of breast cancer.

Mr Hughes, whose daughters, Isobelle, six and Rosie, three, will take part in the walk on Saturday (August 22) said: “This event will be a fitting and moving tribute for the whole family as it is a poignant day for us - it’s mum’s birthday. We’re hoping to raise in excess of £1,000 for the charity and are well on the way to meeting our target.”

Mr Hughes' wife Leanne, father, Robert, brother, Paul Hughes, his wife, Cath and son Ben, five, along with a host of aunties, uncles and cousins as well as some of his mother’s friends. Donations can be made by visiting justgiving.com/isobelleandrosie/

Mrs Hughes attended Marie Curie’s hospice in Liverpool throughout her illness to receive treatment and made the decision that, when the time came, she was comfortable spending her final days in the caring environment of the hospice.

Mr Hughes said: “Mum often joked that she received seven-star treatment from the Marie Curie nurses and in the last few days of her life we too experienced and witnessed the exceptional work of the staff – their dedication and genuine care and attention was second to none."

Donations can be made by visiting justgiving.com/isobelleandrosie/

The Hughes' family walk is part of Marie Curie's national series of 10K walks called Walk to Remember. An open walk for the charity will take place at Gibside on Saturday, September 5 6.30pm and 10.30pm. Registration is £10 per person (children under-16 go free; on the night adult registration is £20) and there is a minimum fundraising ask of £100. For more information call 0845 052 4184 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/walktoremember