MORE than 300 people walked their socks off to raise more than £15,000 for Alzheimer’s Support on Saturday (17 June).

They all took part in Wiltshire Alzheimers Support’s 12-mile Walk to Remember fundraising canalside walk from Bradford on Avon to Devizes.

Walkers gathered in the playing field near the Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon, for the 9.30am start before setting off along the canal towpath to Devizes Wharf.

Alzheimer’s Support spokesman, Stephany Bardzil, said: “It’s our largest number of walkers since we launched this in 2015. We had 302 people registered and they all turned up.

“It was very hot but everyone kept going and completed the walk. Members of the public and people on the barges were clapping and cheering as they walked along. We have been bowled over by the support.”

Trowbridge company Nutricia sponsored bottles of water for each walker to take with them and when they reached the Barge Inn at Seend, the landlord gave every walker a free drink to have with their lunch.

The walkers made their first scheduled stop at Semington, where a narrowboat with refreshments was moored, and they enjoyed live music in the pub garden at the Barge Inn.

Those doing shorter walks finished or joined the walk at Seend Cleeve. The walkers finally crossed the finish line at Devizes Wharf from 3pm onwards. Organisers are hoping they will match totals reached in previous years, which have topped £15,000.

Over the past three years, the Walk to Remember has raised more than £45,000 to support the national charity’s work with people living with dementia and carers in Wiltshire.