A MASSIVE £66,000 has been handed to the county’s hospices. The money was raised at the 11th Kent Messenger Shepherd Neame Charity walk which took place in May.

Brewery chief executive Jonathan Neame joined Kent Messenger Group chairman Geraldine Allinson to present 10 cheques of £6,600 each to hospices around the county, including the Lions Hospice in Northfleet, and the Ellenor Foundation in Dartford.

Speaking at the Mansion House at Port Lympne wild animal park, next year’s venue, Mr Neame said: “This year’s walk was very wet and muddy difficult but everyone completed their task with great cheer.”

Mrs Allinson said: “We should not forget what the hospices do for people day in and day out and what they do for Kent.”