A former patient has pulled together a 20 strong team to take on the Twilight Walk challenge in a bid to raise funds for the Jigsaw Appeal for Women.

Vicki Edgeley first heard about the appeal when she came for an early pregnancy scan at the Women’s Health Unit. She said: “Waiting for the scan was a very worrying time but the care I had was absolutely fantastic, and thankfully all was ok.

“I was struck by how passionate the nurses were about giving people space and dignity.

“That is why these new facilities are so important they will really improve the experience of thousands of women locally.”

Many of Vicki’s team also have their own personal reasons for supporting the appeal. Work colleague Rebekah Hannam was moved to take part after her mum received care at the unit. She said: “My mum was so impressed, the staff at the unit have been a great help. She is looking forward to joining us on the Twilight walk – we are walking the 5k together.”

Vicky will also be joined by her mum and best friend Gemma, who will travel all the way from Cardiff to take part in the walk.

Vicky said: “It is great to have all this support. With 17,000 women referred to the unit each year, there are many families affected buy women’s health.

The Twilight Walk - a 1k, 5k or 10k walk along Bournemouth Seafront from 8pm on Saturday 1 June – is open to anyone. Registration forms can be picked up from the Jigsaw Office at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital or online at jigsawappeal.org.uk. Registration is £15 per person and includes a t-shirt. Fancy dress is optional.

All funds raised will go towards providing a brand new Women’s Health Unit at RBH, which will be a centre of excellence to screen, diagnose and treat patients with breast and gynaecological cancer and for families undergoing complications in early pregnancy, including miscarriages.

Based on information supplied by .