VILLAGERS near Worcester are “thinking pink” as they prepare for the final leg of a three-part fund-raising challenge for breast cancer.

Friends and neighbours in Kempsey got together earlier this year with the common goal of raising money to support a new Worcestershire Breast Unit.

The campaign, supported by your Worcester News from the beginning, seeks to create a dedicated unit at 220 Newtown Road on the site of Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

First the dads in the group stepped up, raising £1,500 climbing mountains in Wales.

Last weekend 30 children took on a 15km triathlon challenge, travelling from Pershore to Twyning, near Tewkesbury, by bicycle, bell boat and on foot, raising more than £2,000.

Finally it was the turn of the mums in the group, with about 50 women gearing up for their Think Pink walk along the full length of the Malvern Hills.

Every single one of the women has friends or family who have been affected by breast cancer, with two of them having experienced it themselves.

One in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives and almost 500 people in Worcestershire have the disease diagnosed every year.

Jenny Phillimore, one of the ladies taking part, said: “People in our group have been through treatment and we want to enhance the experience of those who have to have treatment in the future.”

Their efforts are also intended to raise awareness of Breast Awareness Month, which started on Monday.

Local firm Colwall Coaches supported their challenge by providing free transport to the walk and anyone who would like to donate can do so online at justgiving.com/thinkpinkmalverns.