Rewards for fundraising walkers - but one lady is tragically missing

Aksa Marshal, the founder of the Meet and Mingle charity, had phoned Rotary Club president Richard Mingard from her bed at Thames Hospice in Windsor to say she could not attend - sadly she died two days later.

Members of the charity attended in her place to receive the award of £300 for having most people taking part in the five mile fundraising walk through Slough.

Meet and Mingle has provided a wonderful chance for Asian ladies in Slough to meet and make friends.

Mr Mingard told guests at the dinner in the Copthorne Hotel: "Aksa was a remarkable lady and I know her group will carry on the charity in her name."

He said that 39 local charities had taken part in the Together Walk this year - with a record 500 registered walkers raising a record £35,000

There were five prizes given out at the dinner at the Copthorne Hotel.

A new award was introduced this year - for the charity whose members walked for the first time making the most significant impact. This was awarded to Abbie Ramwi from The Woman and Child in Need Group - a welcome cheque for £300.

The award for the charity with the second most walkers taking part on the day went to Paul Sohal, the immediate past mayor of Slough who accepted a cheque for £200 or the mayor of Slough`s Charity Appeal Fund.

The individual who raised the highest amount of money for their charity and received a cheque for £300 was Sufiyaan Jameel, who took part in the walk despite being disabled supported by his parents. He raised money for the for the Haji Rafique Foundation - which supports victims of the war in Yemen.

The second highest amount of money was raised by Jayne Stephens from South Bucks Riding for the Disabled - a £200 award.

Ian Goldswain and Sue Took from 3rd Upton Scout Group were presented with a cheque for £250 for allowing the use of the scout hut.

The date for the walk next year is set for May 2 starting at the Scout Hut in Upton Court Park.