COLOURFUL wigs brightened up Chesham as a group of more than 50 friends went on a charity walk in memory of a flamboyant friend.

Pals of all ages and their pets took part in a special Wig-a-thon by trekking, cyling or scooting the five mile Pednor Loop in memory of Chesham hairdresser Sam Butler, who was just 43 when she died in May this year after a nine-year battle with cancer.

Sam’s husband Tim and their children Megan, 16, and Charlie, 13, joined the whacky walkers, who raised more than £600 for Berkhamsted-based charity The Hospice of St Francis, which cared for Sam and her family in her final weeks.

Mr Butler said: "The walk was truly a celebration of all the things that mattered to Sam: silliness, friendship, laughter, fun and making the most of each and every day.

"Putting on a brightly coloured wig makes you smile and a gentle stroll around Pednor gives you time to chat with friends old and new. It’s friends that make a difference, so a big thank you to Julie and Claira for organising it and to everybody that came."

"It was fantastic fun and really positive," said organiser Julie Gamston, 43, from Chesham. "It brought a smile to the faces of everyone we met which Sam would have loved. The same event last year raised enough money for her to have a lovely wig made with her own hair.

"But this year, six months after losing her, we just wanted to do it to celebrate her memory and to help the Hospice to continue doing the incredible work it does supporting patients and their families living with life-limiting illness.

"They were really fantastic, so totally switched onto Sam’s needs as a patient – which made such a difference to her final weeks. It’s wonderful to be able to give to a local charity like the Hospice of St Francis and know that all the money raised goes directly towards funding their care."

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/wig-a-thon or text WIGA98 followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

For more information on the Hospice of St Francis, which provides care for patients in the Chiltern district, go to www.stfrancis.org.uk/i-want-to-help or call 01442 869555.