MERCIA Accident Rescue Service is calling on members of the local community to join its fundraising walk across the Malvern Hills.

Taking place on Sunday, March 5, the walk will kick off at 9.30am at the Swinyard Hill car park, with the route taking hikers to visit all of Malvern’s hills, whilst providing spectacular rural views across the three counties.

The volunteer members of MARS provide pre-hospital medical care for the critically ill and injured across Herefordshire and Worcestershire in support of West Midlands Ambulance Service. In 2016 alone, they attended 50 incidents.

The planned route has been rated hard by Walking Britain, involving a considerable altitude ascent, and expected to take three to four hours. Local walking groups, such as Malvern’s Sole Mates are joining the fundraising effort.

Jenny Stew of Sole Mates said: “We’re very excited about the up and coming trek over the Malvern Hills in support of MARS.

"Not only do we hope it will highlight the importance of walking for our health, but it will also raise much needed funds for an extremely worthy cause that is completely reliant on donations from the general public for its existence.

“It would also be fantastic if those taking part are encouraged to join Sole Mates and enjoy what is an outstanding area of natural beauty."

Andy Thurgood of MARS said: “The fundraising walk will provide the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of MARS, whilst helping us to raise funds to train and equip our immediate care practitioners.

"These volunteers come from a range of medical specialities, from general practice to emergency medicine but all provide vital life-saving work for both Worcestershire and Herefordshire."