CARE home workers walked for miles through the night on the first steps of a mammoth fundraising pledge.

Staff from Bridge House in Abingdon pulled on psychedelic prints and fluorescent flares for seventies-themed Moonlight Stroll through Oxford, organised by Sobell House Hospice.

Manager June Maharaj, who was among the care home's team that trekked under the stars on Saturday, said: "Many of our residents have been brilliantly supported by their specialist team to ensure that we have everything in place for them at the end of life.

"The work they do and the difference they make to people who are at the end of their lives is incredible. The specialist Sobell nurses work with the team at Bridge House and together we strive to make each moment truly matter for both residents and their loved ones, ensuring not just that their comfort is met but also their social, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs."

The 10km walk through Oxford city centre, which saw hundreds of fundraisers brave the night in aid of the Headington-based hospice, was part of a pledge by the care home to raise £10,000 for Sobell House after it was selected as its charity of the year.

Mrs Maharaj said: "For what is a very difficult time in a resident’s and their loved one’s lives, it is so important that we provide the very best quality of care. The Sobell team help provide family support and also give reassurance to our team that we are doing everything in the best possible way."

She was joined on the walk by deputy manager Shamla Ram, lifestyle co-ordinators Katie Marshall and Chantelle Meritte, chauffeur Michael Stratford, head housekeeper Linda Clack, three relatives of residents at Bridge House and three friends of staff members.

The team have already raised £1,600 through the stroll, which will help to pay for a £9m makeover and extension to Sobell House's base at Churchill Hospital.

The hospice, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, hopes to invest the whopping sum over the next four years to extend the existing in-patient unit and offer new spaces specifically designed for frail and elderly patients with dementia.

Mrs Maharaj added: "These plans are excellent news. They will allow for more people to be looked after but also, and very importantly, will create more space and an improved social environment that is much-needed to ensure families can spend precious time together."

Dominique Cadiou, head of fundraising and communication at Sobell House, added: "We were really pleased to see some of our 40 Club taking part and hope they all had fun. We are really grateful."

The 40 Club features local businesses that have volunteered to help Sobell achieve its fundraising target.