MORE than 300 walkers – including the Herald’s own Vikki Carter – gathered in the picturesque village of Frensham on Sunday, June 2, to take part in Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice’s annual sponsored Walk for the Wards.

This relaxing walk in the beautiful Surrey countryside takes place every year and raises vital funds for Phyllis Tuckwell, which provides supportive and end of life care for patients and families across Surrey and Hampshire.

Many of the walkers had personal reasons for taking part, with Herald circulation administrator Vikki Carter walking in memory of her “fantastic dad” who passed away from cancer of the oesophagus in July 2017.

Five and ten mile route options were offered, allowing walkers to choose between a leisurely stroll and a longer ramble. Both routes set off from More House School, with walkers following a path through the stunning Surrey countryside to Shortfield Common and then on to the Great Pond.

With hilltop views and waterside walks, the trail showed off the best of the local countryside, and everyone who took part enjoyed the beautiful scenery and fresh air before returning to More House School for a deserved cream tea.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in this year’s Walk for the Wards,” said Gemma Craig, events fundraising manager at Phyllis Tuckwell.

“The weather was perfect and everyone had a wonderful time. 2019 is Phyllis Tuckwell’s 40th anniversary, so we were really pleased to have such a large number of walkers take part.”

The hospice also thanked More House School for hosting the event, Morrisons in Fleet for donating scones and jam, Dave Porter and the Blackwater Valley Runners for helping plan the route, Kevin Morris and his team of marshals who kept walkers safe, and all of the event’s many volunteers.

Donate to the Herald’s Phyllis at 40 appeal at justgiving.com/fundraising/heraldhospiceappeal