WITH walking sticks, walking frames and mobility scooters at the ready, supporters of the Anna Chaplains for Older People joined walkers after responding to the challenge from Doris Blow to join a sponsored walk organised by All Saints Hard of Hearing Group.

It took place in the Public Gardens, with the Alton Lions acting as marshals and Alton town mayor Matthew Bayliss chatted with the walkers as they waited by the bandstand for the off.

The guest of honourand England’s oldest man, 109-year-old Bob Weighton, met with his friends and was at the start when Alton town crier Stan Witcher called the participants to order and set them off on their circuits of the park.

With the choice of a shorter inner circuit or longer outer circuit, the Anna Chaplains – Debbie Thrower, Helen Jestyand Jonathon Rooke, plus the newly-appointed Rachel Sturt – encouraged walkers as the morning proceeded, with the last walker home, Jean Goodwin, completing a marathon nine laps of the outer circuit.

The March 18 walk was a challenge for many people in many ways, but all achieved their aims to “walk the walk” and raise awareness of the support available and to add to the much-needed funds to enable the chaplains to continue their valuable ministry among the older people of Alton.

With sponsor forms verified by the registration team of Evelyn and Brian Miller, the event is expected to have raised more than £1,000.

The final amount raised is expected to be announced by the end of April.