MORE than 1,000 students, teachers and parents narrowly missed yesterday's downpour as they embarked on a riverside walk to raise money for children with life-limiting illnesses.

Organisers estimate they raised between £10,000 and £15,000 for a new Acorns Children's Hospice for Worcester.

Children as young as four joining the 1,500 strong band from King's School, Worcester, as they strode 12 miles from Upton-upon-Severn to Worcester.

Teacher Alistair McNaughton said they were extremely lucky to miss the Bank Holiday rain.

"We were incredibly apprehensive about the weather beforehand but we only got caught in one very, very short shower," he said. "The rest of the walk was glorious and was warm with a nice cool breeze."

Acorns chief executive, John Overton, cut the ribbon yesterday at Upton bridge before the troops, clad in specially-made Acorns T-shirts, set off on the four-hour journey to Fish Meadow.

The walkers, who cancelled their 2001 charity walk because of foot-and-mouth, spent the rest of the day munching their way through burgers at a barbeque in the school grounds.

Mr McNaughton said it had been a fantastic social event, which had raised vital funds for the charity.

"We really wanted to support a local charity and found one which the kids could really identify with," he said.

"Fran Winterbourn, from Acorns, had done a presentation to each of the different year groups, so the pupils were well aware of the issues."

The money raised will towards Acorns' Three Counties Appeal to build a £4m hospice in Bath Road, which is already halfway to its target.

The new complex will provide support for life-limited children from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.