KEEN walkers and nature lovers alike are being invited to take part in a fundraising walk around Worcestershire’s picturesque waterways in aid of a county hospice next month.

The popular annual Waterways Walk in aid of St Richard’s Hospice will be held on Sunday, August 2.

The sixth annual event will include a choice of two distances – and 11-mile track from Diglis to Hanbury Warf, via Tibberton, or a 21-mile flat circular route from Droitwich to Worcester and back to Droitwich, passing a total of 41 locks.

Karen Bradley from Worcester is one of more than 70 people already signed up and will be taking part in memory of her mother, who was cared for by St Richard’s Hospice before her death in 2011.

She will be joined by her partner Robert Williams, friend Jennie Maslin and her mother’s neighbour Leigh Allen.

Ms Bradley said: “St Richard’s Hospice were brilliant while my mum was ill and gave above and beyond support to the whole family.

“We wanted to take part in another hospice event and decided that the 21 mile Waterways Walk would give us a new challenge and great opportunity to raise money for this great cause.

“We have been doing lots of walking to train for the day and really looking forward to our new challenge.”

To donate to Ms Bradley visit www.justgiving.com/Karen-Bradley4.

The hospice’s senior fundraiser Alison Parkes appealed to anyone who enjoys a walk in the countryside while raising money for a good cause to sign up.

“This is really a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty and nature of Worcestershire’s waterways,” she said.

“This annual event is always great fun with a friendly atmosphere and is suitable for all the family, although you also need to be reasonably fit to walk either route.”

Registration for the event is £10 for adults or £5 for anyone younger than 16. For more information call 01905 763963.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for more than 2,600 people with life-threatening illnesses and their families every year. The organisation runs a day hospice as well as a 24 hour, 17-bed inpatient unit in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

For more information call 01905 763 963 or visit www.strichards.org.uk.