A group of students are stepping up to bring some festive cheer to Walsall’s young patients facing the prospect of Christmas in hospital.

Sixteen students from South Staffordshire College in Cannock are doing a sponsored walk of around 12 miles tomorrow – Wednesday 24 November – leaving the campus at 9.30am.

Their route will take them from the college campus in Cannock town centre to Birches Valley Nature Reserve on Cannock Chase and they hope to be back by 5.30pm.

Their aim is to raise up to £250 to buy presents and chocolates for young patients at Walsall Manor Hospital, supported by Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity.

Brandon Hughes, 18, from Blakenall,  and Mia Griffiths, 17, from Cannock, are two of the students taking part. The pair are part of a group of first-year students in BTEC Level 3 in Public Services doing the walk.

“I remember my sister Ashleigh was once in hospital with asthma near Christmas and it’s never a nice time to be poorly,” said Brandon. “So I thought it would be a good idea for us to raise some money for kids in hospital over Christmas.

“It’s our first time doing anything like this but hopefully we can raise some money to make kids’ Christmases a bit happier.”

The group has prepared for the event by walking up The Wrekin in Telford, Shropshire’s third highest hill, recently, while Brandon used to attend Military Preparation College in Walsall and Mia plays football, so they feel pretty fit.

The money raised will be used to buy presents which will be distributed on Children’s Ward, Paediatric Assessment Unit, Outpatients and Emergency Department.

Anyone who wants to donate should email Brandon at Brandonhughes2003@hotmail.com or contact the college on 0300 456 2424.