THE children’s charity NSPCC is urging people to sign up for the 2010 Hike Against Cruelty to Kids (Hack).

It has organised the 25-mile sponsored walk, supported by the Oxford Mail, to raise money for its Child’s Voice Appeal.

The aim is to raise £50m nationwide to help pay for services such as ChildLine.

The walk will take place on Sunday, September 5 – but the closing date for registration is Monday .

Amanda Howard, 42, from Lidstone, near Chipping Norton, works for the NSPCC and said last-minute preparations were underway.

She said: “One-hundred and thirty people people have now officially registered, but we are expecting that to rise to 200 before registration closes as numbers usually go up by a third in the last few weeks.”

The Hack starts and finishes at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, and the route takes in the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace estate and Forest of Wychwood.

Mrs Howard said people had already been very generous.

She added: “Some shops have donated food and drink, so we have hundreds of oranges, 200 bottles of water and lots of chocolate eggs – I just hope the weather isn’t too hot, or else they will all melt.

“The Oxfordshire Army Cadets are also being a huge help, as 35 of them are camping the night before and then walking the second half of the route to put out the arrows and signs.”

Mrs Howard urged people to sign up for the event, which she said would have a “lovely feeling of camaraderie”.

She said: “There will be a band and a bar at the end of the course, so people can enjoy a cold beer and live music after their walk. I’m sure they’ll need it.

“It will just be a great day for everyone involved.”

Others who have signed up over the past few months have included first-time dad Paul Fletcher, staff from the Spirit Health Club in Oxford and ChildLine volunteer Caroline Rossiter.

Mrs Howard added: “People get a buzz from doing this kind of thing and for a lot of people, my husband included, it gives them an incentive to get fit for a good cause.

“Sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself, but when it is for other people, it spurs you on.”

For details or to register, visit nspcc.org/hack or call the NSPCC east appeals office on 01908 328060 or email eastappeals@nspcc.org