FOUR key members of Tenbury Town Band are supporters of the blood cancer charity, Bloodwise, and also keen walkers.

Every May for the past three years they have completed the full 23 mile walk, the longest of the Bishops Castle Round and About Walks, in aid of Bloodwise.

This year, the date of the walks - May 11 - clashes with the band’s Annual Concert in the Regal Cinema in Tenbury.

Andy hit on the idea of collecting for the Bishop Castle Walks at their Charity Christmas concert.

So, Lorraine presented a cheque for £1,280 to Jean, who organises the walks, as well as offering help to set up the route on the day before the event.

Lorraine walks in memory of her late husband Sean.

“The spectacular countryside around Bishops Castle is so varied, you don’t really think about the miles,” she said.

“While walking with friends, the lunch stop arrives quickly - not that we could linger with the last 10 miles to complete! It’s great having the option of doing three distances; always a challenge, but so rewarding.”

The Round and About Walks aim to give people a safe experience of beautiful, rural walks as well as to raise money for blood cancer research through Bloodwise.

Blood cancers can affect people of all ages including young children.

The ability to treat conditions such as lukaemia can vary greatly.

In some cases it can be cured and the propspect of a cure with this kind of treatment is often greater with children than it is with adults.

Treatment will often involve bone marrow transplants and so the more people who volunteer as donors the more people that it is possible to help to treat, cure and provide with hope..

For details and to enter the walks visit: Bloodwise.org.uk/round-and-about