PEOPLE are being urged to sign up for an annual charity walk on the Malvern Hills and help it break through the £100,000 fundraising barrier.

Since it was first held in 1999, the sponsored walk in aid of Cancer Research UK has raised more than £85,000.

The charity’s Malvern committee is hoping this year’s event, on Saturday, October 13, can bring that total up to £100,000.

The event is particularly poignant for Angela Townson, age 45, of West Malvern.

Her family ties to the walk started back in 2000 when her father Melvin Boswell took part in the event during a year that had seen him lose his brother, and his wife lose her sister, both to cancer.

From 2001 until 2007 it became an annual tradition for Mrs Townson to complete the walk with her dad, a run sadly broken when he passed away in 2008, aged 70.

Mrs Townson was “too emotional”

to take part in the walk for the next couple of years, but after losing her mother and her father-in-law, both to cancer in 2010, she returned for the first time last year.

She was supported by her husband Paul and children Ralph, aged 17, and Billie, 13.

“It’s a poignant occasion and a time when you do reflect on the people who have gone, as well as supporting all the good work that Cancer Research UK do,”

she said.

“It was special for the four of us to do the walk last year.

“You think about the people you miss every day, but it is nice to have a specific occasion to remember them.”

The walk offers a choice of three, six or 11-mile routes, all starting at Castlemorton Common.

It is suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities.

The route is marshalled along the way and registration is free, with participants asked to collect sponsorship.

Organiser Ray Worth said: “The walk is always well supported, which has allowed us to raise as much as we have to date, and it would be fantastic if we could achieve £100,000, which would be a real landmark, this time around.”

Registration details and sponsorship packs are available at supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/ WalkInTheMalvernHills or by calling 01684 892772.