THE annual sponsored walk across the Malvern Hills in aid of Cancer Research UK has been hailed as a great success, despite one participant having to be flown to hospital after falling unwell.

The man was one of about 90 walkers who took part in the event on Saturday, October 15. He fell ill soon after midday, and the first responders on the scene were members of the All Terrain Bike Response Unit (ATBRU), volunteers on mountain bikes who provide medical cover on the hills.

Ray Worth, the walk's organiser, said: "They determined that he was suffering from low blood pressure and they decided to send him to hospital."

The air ambulance helicopter landed near the reservoir on British Camp to load the patient and take him off to hospital. However, he turned out not to be seriously ill.

"I spoke to his wife on Sunday morning and she said he was all right," said Mr Worth. "We're very grateful to ATBRU and the Air Ambulance for their swift response."

He added that otherwise the walk was a great success, raising about £6,000 for Cancer Research. Walkers started out on Castlemorton Common and had the choice of three, five and nine-mile routes.

“It's a very sociable event. We have a lot of the same people taking part every year, so you're meeting up with old friends for another year,” said Mr Worth.

The event has now raised more than £80,000 over the last 12 years.