MORE than 150 walkers took to the streets of Beaconsfield on Saturday as part of a patriotically themed walk to raise money for a charity providing vital care to the seriously ill.

The theme of the Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care Goodnight Walk was ‘Best of British’ and onlookers were treated to an imaginative variety of costumes - from Her Majesty the Queen to the Wombles.

The walks – either five or ten miles long - began at 9pm at the Curzon Centre, with many of those taking part doing so to honour lost loved ones.

Ruth Barber, events manager for IRGHH said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Curzon Centre both before and after the walk and a great deal of camaraderie between the walkers along the way.”

The evening was kicked off with a warm up from zumba teacher Betty Smith prior to the walk, and the participants were welcomed back to the Curzon Centre afterwards with the gift of a beautiful gerbera donated by Rachel Gibson and a well deserved rest over cream tea contributed by Sainsbury’s Beaconsfield.

Anna Sorenson was the first walker to return and said of her experience: “I really enjoyed walking in the cool and quiet through beautiful Beaconsfield. The walk was very well organised with excellent signing and I really appreciated the opportunity to walk and remember my mother along the way.”

Among the other walkers was a 24 strong team from Phlex Global, who walked five miles and commented that: “It was great to have a social time outside of work with colleagues that we only usually spend a lot of time with in the work environment.”

It is hoped that once all sponsorship money has been collected the walk will have raised £15,000. This money is vital to the charity, which relies on public support for 90 per cent of its funding.

IRGHH’s next major fundraising event is the Chilterns 3 Peak Challenge, on September 16. For more information or to register, visit www.c3peaks.com