CHILDREN’S charity the NSPCC has urged people to pull on their walking boots and take part in an annual fundraiser.

The charity will hold its Hike Against Cruelty to Kids (Hack) around West Oxfordshire in September.

Last year, the first time it was held in the county, about 140 people took part, raising £22,000 for the charity.

And this year organisers hope it will be bigger and better.

Amanda Howard, the NSPCC’s Thames Valley community fundraising manager, said: “We are hoping to get 200 people this year and raise £30,000.

“That will pay for an awful lot more services and would mean a lot to the charity.

“It would mean more representatives going into primary schools talking about child abuse, and more ChildLine and Helpline call centres.”

The NSPCC ChildLine is a free, confidential 24-hour telephone line for children, while the Helpline is for adults concerned about a young person.

Mrs Howard said Oxfordshire raises about £30,000 a year on average for the charity, so the hike could potentially double the county’s contribution.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 24, and will feature a 12-mile and a 22-mile walk.

Both walks start and finish at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, taking in the village of Spelsbury and the stately home Ditchley Park.

The 22-mile route will also take walkers through Stonesfield and Wilcote.

Along the route will be Oxfordshire Army Cadets manning check points and three stop-off points offering refreshments.

Mrs Howard said: “It’s rolling Cotswolds hills, valleys and wooded areas. It’s all very pretty and picturesque. The HACK is about getting fit, and helping vulnerable and abused children at the same time.

“I would encourage everyone get their walking boots on and sign up.”

It costs £10 to register for the 12-mile route and £20 for the 22-mile route.

For information or to register, visit nspcc.org.uk/cotswoldshack or call the NSPCC East appeals office on 01908 328060.