WALKING enthusiasts are being encouraged to take part in a 'megahike' on the Ridgeway to raise funds for drop-in centres for those affected by cancer.

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, which has a centre at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, is urging men, women and children aged 10-plus to don their walking boots.

The Megahike, on the weekend of June 30 and July 1, sponsored by power company Scotia Gas Networks, is designed to suit all abilities, so participants can choose their own challenge, of bronze, a 15-mile hike from Wallngford to Chilton, near Didcot, a silver challenge, which is a 25-mile walk from Wallingford to White Horse Hill, near Uffington, or the epic gold, 50 miles from Wallingford to Avebury.

Those choosing to walk the full 50 miles will walk through the night - taking approximately 24 hours to complete the challenge.

Maggie's Centres head of fundraising Marie McQuade said: "The Megahike weekend is an awesome adventure which gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to get fit, have fun and raise funds to ensure that Maggie's can continue to provide emotional and psychological support to people directly affected by cancer, their family and friends, when they really need it."

In addition to the five existing centres that Maggie's operates in Scotland and the Oxford unit, it is building a further seven centres throughout the UK over the next four years.

Maggie's aims to ensure that wherever and whenever someone is affected by cancer in the UK, there's a Maggie's Centre for them to turn to for support.

The centres are each architect-designed, and offer access to high quality, free, emotional and psychological support and practical information.

Dr Chris Alcock, consultant oncologist and cancer lead clinician, for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We really appreciate the work that the Maggie's Centre does for our patients.

"They make a very valuable contribution in supporting our patients, both in terms of their physical and emotional well-being.

"We really hope their fundraising efforts on the Ridgeway go well."

The adult registration fee is £25 per person, with a fundraising target of £250, and for children (ages 10 to 17) the fee is £15, with a fundraising target of £100.

To register, log on to www.maggiescentres.org, call Kirsten on 0141 3415670 or send an email to kirsten@maggiescentres.org