MEMBERS of a women's organisation is walking 20 miles to raise funds for midwives specialising in homebirths.

The Bridport Ladies Circle will be making the trip from Bridport to Dorchester to raise the money needed to buy emergency kit bags, to help midwives be prepared for anything in a homebirth.

The group will be joined by two midwives from the Cygnet Homebirth Team - a dedicated team of experienced midwives who provide care to women choosing to birth their baby at home in west Dorset.

The group is aiming to raise just under £3,000 so that the whole team is able to have their own bag. This will make things easier for the midwives, allowing them to standardise their practice as the kits are all laid out and organised in each bag in the same way.

The Bridport Ladies Circle is a recently re-established group of women aged from 18 to 45 who want to raise money for local good causes.

Some of its members has had the Cygnet team support them through their own pregnancies and births, so therefore the cause they're supporting is very close to their hearts.

Sophie Bide, a member of the Bridport Ladies Circle said: "I think we've all been blown away by the Cygnet team, we're so lucky to have them as not many parts of the country have access to care like this.

"We want to raise awareness for what the incredible work these people do. One of people's first questions about homebirth is 'is it safe?' and it is every bit as safe as giving birth at hospital.

"With homebirths less common than they used to be, people can be worried about it and its important that they know there is a team out there that will provide them with all the care they need.

"Many of us formed relationships with members of the team whilst going through the process and when we asked how we could help they it would be great if each member of the team could have a kit."

She added: "We're all so grateful to the team and this is our way of giving something back."

The team has currently raised around £1,250, with more than £1,700 remaining before the group meets its target.

The walk will be taking place this Saturday, June 26.

If you are interested in joining the team, contact them on bridportladiescircle@gmail.com. To donate to their cause, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/vital-community-midwife-bags