ORGANISERS of this year’s Walk of Life say more than £30,000 has been raised already for the Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal.

They said: “A huge congratulations to everyone that took part on Saturday. Over £30,000 already raised and lots more coming in.

“Thank you for making every step count for RUH Bath patients.”

More than 400 people took part in Saturday’s walk to the Holburne Museum in Bath. Half completed a 26.2-mile walk from The Crown Inn at Bishops Cannings near Devizes, and the other half a 10-mile walk from Victory Field in Bradford on Avon.

The mayor of Devizes, Cllr Andy Geddes, was joined by Glastonbury Festival founder, Michael Eavis, to start the walk from Bishops Cannings, while Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie, the mayor of Bradford on Avon, was joined by BBC Radio presenter Ali Vowles to launch the shorter walk.

The Walk of Life is the charity appeal’s annual walking fundraising event and the aim is to raise funds to support patients and their families cared for at the RUH every year.

This year, the funds will go towards the charity’s RUH Cancer Care campaign for the new Dyson Cancer Centre, the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre and many of the hospital’s wards and departments.

Laura Pearce, events and community officer for The Forever Friends Appeal said: “Thank you so much to all of our brilliant walkers who took part and to those that helped make the Walk of Life happen.

“We have been so inspired hearing about the many reasons people take part - from walking in memory of a loved one, supporting someone receiving treatment or to get active and support a good cause – your walk on Saturday has the power to help so many patients at the RUH, so you should all be very proud!”

It is hoped the funds raised by this year’s walk will beat the £110,000 raised from last year’s Walk of Life.

Next year’s Walk of Life will take place on May 16 and places will open soon. Visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/events.