Early risers walk for nurses

But the 7am start on Sunday did not put off determined females who turned out despite pouring rain.

A total of 95 women took part in the first ever Sunrise Walk in aid of the Pepper Foundation during the weekend.

Chairman of the foundation Tony Hill said: “We are very pleased. I thought it was marvellous. Everyone turned up and quite a few of them made quite an effort wearing lots of yellow.”

Among the walkers were mayors of Tring and Berkhamsted, Roxanne Ransley and Julie Laws. However, they were not joined by the mayor of High Wycombe, Jane White who had signed up but had to pull out due to bad health.

Walkers could choose from two routes, covering 11 or 6.5 miles, and both starting from Hemel Hempstead Rugby Club.

The Pepper Foundation provides funds for The Pepper Children’s Nurses who offer care for seriously ill youngsters throughout the Chilterns area.

Just £130 funds a day of nursing care. Mr Hill said: “We won’t know the total amount raised for around a month because sponsorship takes a while to come in.”

Another Sunrise Walk will be held in High Wycombe in April and again in Hemel Hempstead next October.