Actor and comedian John Cleese helped launch the annual Walk of Life to raise money for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The 21-mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal from Devizes is in its seventh year and will take place on May 17 to help fund the RUH’s new £20.5m cancer centre.

The walk, organised by the RUH’s Forever Friends Appeal, was created in memory of Vanessa Kyte, from Rudge in Somerset, who battled cancer for eight years before losing her fight in 2008. It is supported by Mrs Kyte’s sister Nic Noble and mother Dianne Young.

Another keen supporter is Melanie Hunter, a 40-year-old legal secretary from Box, who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008 and went through six months of chemotherapy and four weeks of radiotherapy.

She took part in this year’s Walk of Life, weeks after having her head shaved to raise money for the Cancer Centre.

Mrs Hunter said: “The RUH is incredible and the people are remarkable. I am so grateful for the care I received.

“I didn’t find [the walk] arduous. Everyone is doing it for the same reason so there is a nice camaraderie.

“It is a great way to spend a day and enjoy Wiltshire and it is a good cause that is close to my heart.”

The walk will start at Devizes Wharf and finish in Sydney Gardens, Bath.

People can choose to walk nine, 12 or 21 miles.

More than 225 took part in last year’s walk and raised £38,000 for the campaign.

Entrance costs £15. To register, visit www.foreverfriends appeal.co.uk or call (01225) 825823.

Call the same number to volunteer as a marshal.