MEN and women from all across Bath, North East Somerset and West Wiltshire are busy signing up to take part in The Forever Friends Appeal’s annual Walk of Life event taking place this year on Saturday 17th May.
The walk, which was inspired by Vanessa Kyte, who died of cancer in 2007, is this year being led by Vanessa’s sister Nicola Noble from Warminster, who is determined to make 2014 the most successful Walk of Life yet.
This popular annual event, proudly sponsored in 2014 by Kier Construction, is a 21-mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal between Devizes and Bath which takes place every year in May. Walkers can choose to walk the full 21 miles from Devizes to Bath, 12 miles in the morning from Devizes to Bradford-On-Avon or 9 miles in the afternoon from Bradford-On-Avon to Bath.
Everyone is encouraged to raise sponsorship to go towards The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign, to help build a pioneering new cancer centre for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
This month will see the appeal organising the seventh annual Walk of Life event, which was created in 2008 in memory of Vanessa Kyte, whom her family describe as “a truly inspirational mum, daughter, sister, wife and friend who was diagnosed with cancer in the year 2000. Seven years on, Vanessa passed away at her home in Rudge with her family around her.”
Nic Noble and their mum, Dianne Young, both from Warminster are extremely passionate about growing the success of the Walk of Life each year to raise as much as possible to benefit patients with cancer at the RUH.
Nic said, “Vanessa was an extremely motivated fundraiser who was determined to raise as much as she could for cancer care. Along with our family and friends, we are therefore keen to continue with Ness’s fundraising spirit and do everything we can to help The Forever Friends Appeal charity raise funds towards the build of this much needed new cancer centre.
“I am so looking forward to leading the walk this year, as the atmosphere on the day is always so moving. I love chatting to so many different people along the route and knowing that I am completing the distance to help such a great cause is just so motivating.”
One in three people are affected by cancer and everyday lives are changed by this disease. The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign is raising £8.5million towards the building of a pioneering new cancer centre. This cancer centre will be a state-of-the-art building, with every part designed around the needs of patients with different forms of cancer. It will transform care for patients and their families at the RUH. Walk of Life sponsors, Kier Construction, are pleased to be working in partnership with the RUH Bath NHS Trust on the redevelopment of the hospital site.
Entry to the 2014 Walk of Life is just £15. Events fundraiser for The Forever Friends Appeal, Laura Pearce commented, “With our new online entry system, signing up to take part is so easy. Just visit our website www.forever friendsappeal.co.uk and follow the instructions or give us a call on 01225 821535.”
The appeal has also launched the 21 Mile Corporate Challenge and is encouraging local businesses to enter teams of five or more participants. For more information, visit the appeal website.
Pictured: Dianne Young (Vanessa’s mum), Nic Noble (Vanessa’s sister) and Alice Noble (Vanessa’s niece)
