SOME were dressed in pink, others had pictures of their loved ones emblazoned on their T-shirts.

More than 500 people gathered at Oxford’s University Parks yesterday for a sponsored walk in aid of Oxford Heart Centre and the city’s Cancer Centre.

The three-mile challenge, called It’s Not Just a Walk in the Park, is now in its second year.

And many of those taking part had personal reasons for supporting the two centres at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington.

Leading the way was BBC Radio Oxford presenter Wesley Smith.

He said: “It’s an absolutely terrific event. It was a delight to see so many people – some familiar faces and some new ones.

“The really touching thing is everyone had a special person they were walking for. There was a sense they were supporting each other.”

He said a close friend of his was currently being treated for cancer.

He added: “I signed up before she was diagnosed, but it has given me added impetus to do it to support her as well.”

It is hoped the amount raised will match last year’s total of £30,000.

Hoping to contribute between £1,200 and £1,300 was a 25-strong group of family and friends walking in memory of Blackbird Leys plumber Brian Jackson.

Mr Jackson died of cancer aged 49 last year, just 10 days after completing the first It’s Not Just a Walk in the Park in his wheelchair. His widow Nicola said: “He was determined to do it last year so we decided we would walk in his memory. And we will do it every year in his memory.

“You can’t put into words what they do at the Cancer Centre. Every aspect of what they do is brilliant. Their work touches so many local people.”

Mum and daughter Carol and Nicole Clent, from Greater Leys, Oxford, were walking in memory of Carol’s aunt Audrey Sawyer, who died of breast cancer 12 years ago, and Nicole's grandmother Shirley Brown, who died of lung cancer four years ago.

Miss Clent, 42, said: “We wanted to support the Cancer Centre, because it needs the money to carry on caring for people.

“This event was good, because people could have fun but also raise money at the same time.”

Dee Harvey, 34, from Abingdon, and Helen Clack, 44, from Bicester, took part because of personal connections to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Ms Harvey said: “Both of my parents had cancer and they both made a good recovery.

“This walk is fantastic. We don’t realise how lucky we are in this area to have such brilliant facilities.”

More than 30 Girl Guides from the 6th Headington group were among the walkers.