A YOUTH football team will be swapping their football boots for walking shoes to help raise money for a Dorset hospice.

The under-13s Jaguars at Dexters Sports Youth Football Club (YFC) in Canford Heath is tackling the Dorset peaks challenge, aiming to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare in Dorchester.

Dan Jewell is the Dexter Sports tournament director and the team manager for the under 13’s.

His father, Steve, died from cancer on May 10, 2023.

Steve spent his final days at the hospice receiving specialist care at the hospice, which Dan said he called a “five-star hotel”.

Dan said: “The hospice was amazing. It is just an unbelievable service that they produce.

“It costs about £26,000 a day to run their services and 80 per cent of that is through fundraising.”

Weldmar Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care to people in Dorset who are living with a life-limiting illness, which includes conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart disease.

They also support their loved ones by providing aftercare through counselling, meetings, and regular check-ins during the grieving process.

Two coaches at Dexter Sports YFC, Andy Varndell and Leigh Graham, suggested organising a fundraiser for the hospice, a team day out and a bonding session.

On August 17, the team, which includes the players and some of their parents, will be walking around 9.5 miles, led by Leigh and Andy.

Dan and Leigh’s wife, Laura, will meet the team at each check point and hand out water and sweets, which Tower Park Tesco kindly donated.

Dan said: “I was overwhelmed by the response from the team. I want to give a special thanks to Leigh, Laura and Andy for coming up with the idea.

“A huge thanks to the kids and parents for taking the time to complete this challenge. It means the absolute world to me and my family.

“This is my football family and the support I received from them had been phenomenal.”

Dan’s father frequently watched the Jaguars play and was a “huge football fan”.

Dan added: “He would be super proud that the team would be doing this challenge.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to fundraise for Weldmar Hospicecare at: Dexters Jaguars U13’s fundraiser for Weldmar Hospicecare.