MORE than £4,000 was raised for a cancer charity after fundraisers took on a 10.5 mile sponsored walk.

Cancer patient Kevin Shiel was joined by 19 other friends and family as they took on the walk from the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood to the Rose and Crown Pub in Stoke Poges.

Kevin, 62, was diagnosed with a cancer at the base of his tongue, and was referred to Mount Vernon from Wexham Park Hospital for treatment.

He came up with the idea to raise money for the centre, and began raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research, but after finding out the money would not go directly to the centre, he decided to raise money directly for the specialist unit as well.

Despite having recently completed his second cycle of chemotherapy, and having lost over 20lbs, Kevin led the walkers off at noon on Sunday, August 28 in the rain and registered at key points along the route, including the Bear in the Barge at Harefield and the Apple Tree in Gerrards Cross.

Kevin's brother Steve said: "We have raised £4,000 and it may even be a bit over that.

"Originally we set up two Just Giving pages and targeted £300, but some of the other people who were walking and Kevin's wife Jenny set up their own pages, and we raised money through sponsorship too.

"I thought we might get around £1,500 before the walk but I had not appreciated how much had been raised by lots of different people.

"The walk was great. There was a good pace and Kevin went off like a Jack rabbit! I think he wanted to win really. Because of his cancer and his treatment he hasn't been able to eat a lot so his energy levels ran out, but he stopped at the Apple Tree for a refreshment before finishing."

Four members of staff at the Rose and Crown pub also took part in the walk, and hosted a fun day and barbecue at the end of the walk, with half of the proceeds being donated to the causes.

If you wish to donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Steve-Shiel1