CHARITY walkers nursing aching legs yesterday told of how a walk round the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace helped to support those with terminal illnesses.

The Walk to Remember event raised cash for charity Marie Curie on Saturday evening, in which people strolled in memory of friends and family members.

Marie Curie provides care and support to people with terminal illnesses and their families.

A sea of yellow T-shirts filled the grounds of Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace as the walkers admired the breathtaking Baroque architecture.

People of all ages took part in the 10km event before enjoying festival-like celebrations with live music, entertainment and a fire juggling performance.

Debbie Cobb, who lives off Middleton Stoney Road in Bicester, was walking to remember her father, Michael Rixon, who passed away five years ago.

The 51-year-old, who was walking with best friend Anita Frogley, said: “I was walking to remember my dad, Michael Rixon.

“He passed away five years go from cancer.

“He wasn’t cared for by by Marie Curie nurses but my husband and I support them, Macmillan and Cancer Research UK.

“My husband and I have lost so many family members, so we wanted to do something. We have a collection in our Aylesbury butcher’s for Cancer Research.”

The mum-of-two added: It was lovely – a perfect evening. We walked around places the public aren’t allowed to walk. I’ve been to Blenheim Palace before and hadn’t seen those parts.”

Bodicote resident Glyn Girling, 69, said:“I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed myself. All the people I spoke to all said they enjoyed the walk.

“The atmosphere and weather played a terrific part. I think the event itself was so well-organised. It was a beautiful evening and the walk around Blenheim Palace is just gorgeous.”

Laura Carter-Leech, from Banbury, took part in the walk with her mum Ann Carter and family friend Vicky Hayes-Kerridge.

The trio walked in memory of Mrs Carter-Leech’s grandmother Joy Bratchell, who was cared for by Marie Curies before she passed away last year aged 97.

Mrs Carter-Leech said the occasion was “brilliant” and that Marie Curie had organised it well.

She added: “It was very tiring but we did it and it was lovely.

“We did in memory of my nan who past away last year.

“Marie Curie helped us because she wanted to pass at home and was put on end of life care.

“We were sleeping there and the Marie Curie staff would give us a night off, they were really helpful and we wanted to give something back. It was a really nice atmosphere and everyone came together for someone they remembered.”

Since the start of this year Marie Curie has been offering specialist care for patients with terminal illnesses other than cancer.