LOVED ones were remembered as snowdrops were planted in peoples’ memory at West Wycombe Park today.

The tenth annual snowdrop walk in aid of the West Wycombe-based Child Bereavement Charity took place, with walkers around the one-mile course planting flowers in memory of family members.

Within ten minutes of this year’s walk officially starting, 84 people had already entered the park.

Ian Davis, head of fundraising and marketing for the charity, said the walks are always popular, usually attracting in the region of 900 people.

He said: “Everyone has someone they want to remember as they walk round. It’s nice to get out there in the fresh air and think about people you’ve lost who you’d like to think about. That’s the big reason for us doing this.

“It’s not one we approach with a particular fundraising hat on. It’s something for the families we work with. It’s not about fundraising, although all donations will be gratefully received.”

West Wycombe Park is owned by the Dashwood family, who Mr Davis thanked for allowing the walk to take place.

He said: “We are so lucky Sir Edward and Lady Dashwood give us the use of the park for this day. They have done it for such a long time and the charity is really grateful to them.”

The Child Bereavement Charity was the subject of a Christmas fundraising appeal in the Bucks Free Press a few months ago.

Mr Davis said it had raised the charity’s profile, as well as helping to raise money.

“It’s been a big help, publishing so many powerful stories about what the charity does,” he said.

“A lot of people say they saw the stories and have a better idea of the breadth of work we do and the impact it can have on peoples’ lives.”

Information packs on how to set up your own snowdrop walk are available from the charity’s website, www.childbereavement.org.uk.