The final total is in, and over £100,000 has been raised for the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath, by the walkers who took part in the Walk of Life. The sponsored canal walk took place in May and is organised by hospital charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

On the day, 500 people stepped out along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath and covered an impressive 8,200 miles between them. Many took on the marathon 26.2-mile challenge from Bishops Cannings near Devizes, which was set off by Glastonbury festival founder, Michael Eavis CBE. Others joined the ten-mile distance from Bradford on Avon. Everyone crossed the finish line at the Holburne Museum in Bath, welcomed with a celebratory medal and scone treat.

The Walk of Life takes place every year to raise funds for patients and their families at the RUH and gives participants the opportunity to walk in memory of loved ones, to celebrate life, show support for someone receiving treatment at the RUH, or simply to take on the challenge. The event first began in 2006, created with and in memory of Vanessa Kyte, and since then, has raised over half a million pounds for the hospital.

Laura Pearce, Events and Community Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the Walk of Life this year and to those that kindly sponsored our walkers. Every step taken and every pound raised means that we can continue to fund extra-special projects, equipment and innovations that will transform care for patients and their families at the RUH.

“As our walkers can choose to support any part of the Hospital that is close to their heart, there are so many different areas benefitting from the event – from Cancer Care to Cardiac, the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre to our Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care (NICU) and many more! The money raised will touch the lives of thousands of local people, who need the hospital for so many different reasons.

“We would also like to thank our event sponsors, Kier and MJ Church and our wonderful volunteers, who make everything possible on the day.”

A film of this year’s Walk of Life is now available to watch on the Appeal’s website and registration for next year’s Walk of Life is now open. For more information, and to register, visit: www.forever friendsappeal.co.uk or call: 01225 821535.