WARMINSTER resident and charity ambassador Nic Noble will be donning her walking boots to take part in the annual Walk of Life held on May 11, in memory of her sister Vanessa ‘Ness’ Kyte.

Organised by The Forever Friends Appeal, the Walk of Life takes place along the Kennet and Avon canal to raise funds to enhance care and treatment for patients at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath. Walkers are encouraged to join the walk to celebrate life, remember loved ones, to show support for someone receiving treatment and/or to get active and have fun.

Nic and Ness were involved in creating the very first walking event with the charity back in 2006. Sadly Ness died a year later, but every year Nic and many of her family continue to take part in what is now known as the Walk of Life, honoring Ness’ dream to make sure a new Cancer Centre at the RUH became a reality.

Nic will walk 26.2 miles on the day, which will also form part of training for her second challenge in October, trekking the Great Wall of China with a team of other fundraisers for the charity. This year’s challenges are extra special for her, as it marks 20 years since she was diagnosed with osteoporosis and Ness was diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as being The Forever Friends Appeal’s 20th year of fundraising, a cause which her entire family is so passionate about.

The walk’s marathon route will start in Bishop Cannings near Devizes, and follows the canal, finishing at the Holburne Museum in Bath.

Nic, 57, said: “My family and I have been supporting the Forever Friends Appeal for over 10 years because we want to help make a difference to future patients living with and beyond cancer – a cause my sister Ness was so passionate about before she passed away. However this year marks a milestone in my own health journey, so with my walks I have chosen to support the Therapies Matter campaign, raising money for the RNHRD and Therapies Centre being built at the RUH.

“I want to help them reach their fundraising target as they have just £100,000 left to raise. Once this fantastic new therapies centre is open and treating patients, the old therapies buildings will be cleared to make way for the new Dyson Cancer Centre – and finally we will see my sister’s dream become a reality.

“Osteoporosis weakens your bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. Without the consultant’s advice, treatment and physio at the RNHRD, which will be part of the new Therapies Centre, I would not have been able to help make sure Ness’ dream and my final promise to her, of a new Cancer Centre, became reality. But, thanks to therapy treatment, I have been able to continue my marathon fundraising challenges, be part of the Warminster & District RUH Fundraising Group and

support this charity in any way that I can.

“I’m really looking forward to celebrating 20 years of this wonderful charity at this year’s walk, with my amazing sister always in my thoughts - as every step I take, really does make a difference. I can’t wait to see everyone who is taking part and stepping out to support patients cared for at the RUH.”

The Walk of Life costs £25 to register and is open to both men and women. It will be opened by Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis CBE and there is the option to walk the 10 mile route starting in Bradford on Avon. Participants are asked to

raise a minimum of £100 and people can choose support any ward or department at the RUH close to their heart, or one of the charity’s major campaigns. The Forever Friends Appeal will provide walkers with lots of fundraising and training support,

an official Walk of Life t-shirt and pass, as well as complimentary refreshments and treats on the day. At the finish line you will receive a medal.

To sign up, visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk.