By community correspondent, Freya Marshall On the 30th of May 2009 Carolyn Barke from Tadworth and a group of 30 friends and family will be setting off on a two hour walk around Walton Heath to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Carolyn has decided to do the event on top of all the work she does for the NSPCC as she has first hand experience of the help and support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Carolyn said, “As a retired nurse I was well aware of what Macmillan do for people with cancer. Most people think that Macmillan only provide nurses and end of life care. I wanted to raise awareness that Macmillan is so much more than that! They provide vital information, support and even financial help to people affected by cancer. Last year we raised over £1000. If this money helps even one person to access the support they need and deserve it will be well worth it!”

Speaking to Carolyn made me realise how easy organising a walk like this can be. It is so easy to communicate with people these days, using facebook, email or even just a quick ring round to friends. Carolyn was so relaxed about the whole thing, she asked each walker to make a £20 donation to Macmillan and they all set off for a two hour walk around the heath ending up at the pub for the afternoon. I could barely not pipe up with, “can I come along” she made it sound so appealing.

During our conversation Carolyn made the interesting point “when you organise something like this, you just have to be sensible about what you can expect from people”

Organising a walk with your friends and family is not too much to ask of anyone. It just sounds like a jolly nice day out and in fact I might just go and map my route via all of the ice cream vans in my local park today.

If you are interested in organising a walk or anything else and want to talk about it, just give me a ring or an email. Freya Marshall 020 8222 9032 fmarshall@macmillan.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk/walking