THANKFUL family members are preparing to venture off the beaten track in aid of a non-profit organisation after their baby son received “amazing” hospital care.

Camilla, Kate, and chirpy 20-month-old Benjamin will explore a usually closed-off 5k loop of Jimmy’s Farm on September 25 as part of this year’s Welly Walk event.

They will be taking part in aid of the Colchester & Ipswich Hospital Charity and its Children’s Appeal, which is helping improve healthcare facilities for young people.

The cause is close to the hearts of Camilla and Kate, given the extent to which nurses at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust cared for Benjamin.

When he was young, Benjamin suffered deranged blood tests and seizures and ended up visiting the outpatient department three times a week for three months for tests.

Camilla, who is a clinical nurse specialist, said: “Throughout that time, the care he received was amazing.

“The staff were so good to all three of us and as a result we’ve been able to watch as a very poorly baby has turned into a happy and healthy toddler.

“We wanted to raise some money as a way of saying thank you and the Welly Walk sounded perfect.

“Benjamin will enjoy it and hopefully some of the nurses who looked after him will also be there. It will be really nice for us to be able to give something back.”