Bearing pictures of the woman they all loved, the family of cancer victim Andrea Barker were among those who turned out for a charity event to support Oxford’s NHS.

Husband Stephen Barker, 46 and children Jacob, 16, and William, 13 took part in a walk through the University Parks yesterday in memory of the 42-year-old.

The 150 walkers raised some £20,000 for the John Radcliffe Hospital heart and cancer centres.

Mr Barker, whose wife died in May 2009, said: “It is already a difficult experience, but the cancer centre makes it more manageable.

“Not only do you get really excellent clinical support, it is also a pleasant environment.”

More than 150 people took park in the three-mile It’s Not Just a Walk in the Park event, now in its fourth year.

Mr Barker, who lives in Buckingham, said: “This raises extra funds for the hospital so it can provide items that are not funded by the NHS, the things that go above and beyond and make life bearable.”

The cash goes on items like furniture to make hospital stays as comfortable as possible.

He added: “We are also here because it helps keeps Andrea’s memory alive and helps with the grieving process.”

Louise Simmons, 39, attended with her family to say thank you for the emergency care her father, Gerald Rice, 74, received after he suffered a heart attack in March 2010.

The Kidlington resident said: “It was awful for the whole family, we were extremely worried, but he received excellent care from the heart centre and he has gone on to lead quite a normal life.

“Without the centre he would not be with us today.”

Jayne Grainger, of Reading, had a 39 pound ovarian cyst removed by the Oxford Cancer Centre in October 2010.

She said: “I am here to say thank you to the cancer centre and my surgeons, because without them I would not be here.”

“It is not like a normal hospital in there, it is different environment and you feel more relaxed because you are not in that hospital environment.”

Tristan Brandish and Andrew Sheppard, both 16, wore drag for the event.

Tristan, of Littlemore, said: “We are here just for the cause really. It is a good cause and we wanted to help out as much as possible.”

Graham Brogden, head of Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds team, said: “It was brilliant to see so many people who have been through similar difficulties come together and support each other.”