WALKING nine miles on a Saturday morning did not seem too appealing until I arrived at the start point on Castlemorton Common and met some of the other people who were raising money for cancer research.

Many of them had lost friends or relatives to cancer, or had suffered from it themselves and had only recovered thanks to research funded by charities like Cancer Research UK.

Lizzie Cross, 18, from Bromsgrove, arrived with eight companions to take part in the walk. Between them they had raised more than £400.

She was first diagnosed with a form of cancer called Wilms' Tumour two years ago, which affected her kidney and also spread to her lungs.

After a nine-month course of treatment, including surgery to remove her kidney, chemo-therapy and radiotherapy, she has made a full recovery and is actively involved in fund-raising for Cancer Research.

"I wanted to put something back into the charity that helped me get better," she said. "All the research into the tumour I had was thanks to fundraising.

"But it's not just about fundraising. It's important to raise awareness so people know more about what cancer is."

Lizzie did her A'Levels last summer and is currently taking a gap year. She plans to go to New Zealand to work in a school in January before going to Cardiff University.

Tom Davy, chairman of the Cancer Research UK Malvern Committee, was grateful that the weather was marvellous for the 100 walkers taking part.

"The thing is people enjoy the walk as well as raising money for the charity behind it," he said.

The route took us over Castlemorton Common, passing five of Mr Davy's seven grandchildren who were taking part in the walk, their parents Trevor and Julia Dibb and Nick and Donna Davy bravely pushing pushchairs over the bumpy common.

An hour or so of walking brought us to the Giants Cave at British Camp, where I spoke to Aine Kelly, aged 23, and her mother Nora from May Bank, Malvern who said they did a lot of charity events.

Aine had a brain tumour but had recovered and wanted to give something back to research into cancer.

At British Camp, walkers doing the five-mile route turned back but we decided to carry on, after a much-needed stop at the Malvern Hills Hotel for lunch. We continued over the hills to the Wyche Cutting and looped round back to British Camp where, after going past the reservoir, we were on the home straight.

Finishing the walk accompanied by two talking cats was an unusual experience - Megan Gaunt and Hannah Nicklin from Martley had dressed up in feline costumes for the event.

Thanks must go to the friendly checkpoint volunteers who kept our spirits up, particularly the lady who had made shortbread in the shape of feet.

We arrived at the end of the walk in relatively good shape for refreshments provided by the lovely ladies at registration, Audrey Newstead, Rosemary Davies, Phil Smith and Rose Worth.

Ray Worth, secretary of the local branch, who organised the entire event with precision and good humour, told me he hoped more than £4,000 had been raised.

All I have to do now is persuade people to give me my sponsorship money.

Anybody who would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK should contact Ray Worth on 01684 892772.