PEOPLE from Oxfordshire are being asked to pull on their walking shoes and get out in the fresh air as part of a new fundraising initiative for Helen & Douglas House hospice.

For the first time, the East Oxford hospice has set up a series of organised walks all starting and ending at one of the hospice’s charity shops.

The first takes place in Chipping Norton tomorrow, starting from the shop in the town’s Market Place at 10.30am, with the option of walking five, 10 or 15 miles.

Among those taking part – along with her children Cam and Emily, husband Hugo and their two dogs, will be Helen & Douglas House hospice fundraiser and parent Lizzie Pickering, who will be tackling the five-mile course.

She said: “I think it’s a lovely idea and I think it’s great to have something that doesn’t need huge amounts of sponsorship.”

Mrs Pickering, 43, is involved in organising many of the hospice’s fundraising events throughout the year, but will be taking part as a parent, remembering her son Harry, who died at Helen House in 2000, aged six. She said: “It’s lovely to do this event as a parent and a Helen House family, rather than organising it, and it’s lovely for us as a family to do something in memory of Harry.

“It’s good to still be working here and carrying on that connection.”

She added: “We live near Chipping Norton and it’s a great idea to do something local. I think there will be a lot of families turning out.”

Other walks will be held in Bicester on Sunday, April 5; from the Cowley Road shop in Oxford, on Sunday, April 26; and Henley, on Sunday, May 10, all starting at 10.30am.

Adults are asked to pay £10 and children £5, or £25 for a family of two adults and two children.

For those who want to take part in all four walks, the charge is a total of £20 for adults, £10 for children and £45 for families.

The series of walks has been organised by fundraiser Fiona Evans.

She said: “We were looking at events we could do outside Oxford, especially now that we have shops in the local community. It’s a way of encouraging people to raise money for Helen & Douglas House while having fun and exploring the local area.”

Each of the walks will be led by trained guides.

Anyone who would like to sign up to take part in the walks should call Ms Evans on 01865 799150 or email her at fevans@helenanddouglas.org.uk fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk