OXFORD Castle staff will don their walking boots for charity this month.

The castle announced Maggie’s Centre as its official charity partner for 2011 and will kickstart fundraising with a sponsored night hike.

A new Maggie’s Centre, which cares for people with cancer, is currently under development at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.

Maggie’s Oxford currently operates from a temporary building at the Churchill in Headington, but wants to raise £3m for single-storey timber ‘tree house’ for up to 40 visitors a day.

The hikers aim to raise £5,000 by walking the 20 miles from Henley to Oxford, setting off at 10pm on Saturday, May 28. They will walk overnight and be welcomed back to the castle with a breakfast at the Malmaison hotel.

Pictured from left are events and marketing manager Sarah Mayhew, head chef Russell Heeley, general manager Jean-Pierre Morilleau, senior sous chef Michael Hamley, deputy general manager Giles Hammond, office manager Sophie Egleton and project director Andrew Ryan.

Mr Morilleau said: “Training is going really well.

“The team is getting excited and we have our fingers crossed for good weather to make the hike a bit easier.”

To sponsor the hikers, visit oxfordcastle.com/ oxford_castle_commitment_to_community.html