FATHER and daughter duo Lesley Sims and Ray Slipper are putting their best foot forward for the Hospice of St Francis’ Walk with the Stars this year for the fifth year running.

Lesley Sims, 50, has been a nurse at the Berkhamsted based Hospice for the last year and her father Ray is a volunteer in the finance department.

Mrs Sims has walked every year in memory of her mother Yvonne Slipper who died at the former Shrublands Hospice building in 2002.

The busy mum of two, from Hivings Park, Chesham said: “I love doing the walk and it is a wonderful way to honour my Mum. Dad keeps busy by volunteering for the Hospice in the finance department and does his bit by registering people on the night of the walk. It's such a lovely atmosphere.

“I'm hoping to walk with some of the other nurses this year and I'm also trying to persuade my son now that the men can sign up too.’’ Ray, 79, from Little Hivings, Chesham adds: “I started out volunteering here in the finance department in November 2003 and then started helping out at all four of the midnight walks on the registration desks. It’s an important job and a really lovely way to get involved.’’ If you would like to join the walkers this year, on June 11 in Hemel Hempstead, registration costs just £15. You can sign up to walk at www.walkwiththestars.org and fill in your details online or call the fundraising team on 01442 869555.