A WOMAN who has battled breast cancer for five years has organised an epic walk to raise funds for hospital equipment.

Vanessa Kyte, a 41-year-old mother of two from Rudge, is spearheading the March Miles event, which will see sponsored walkers tackling a 90-mile route around the area served by the Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath.

Much of the walk is through west and north Wiltshire, and Mrs Kyte's sister, Nicola Noble, from Warminster, along with other family members and friends, will join her on the walk. The money raised will support the Forever Friends appeal's current campaign to fund an £800,000 second CT Scanner for the RUH.

Mrs Kyte said: "My sister and I first discussed the idea of a sponsored walk for the RUH a couple of years ago and the Forever Friends appeal's CT Scanner campaign motivated us to put it into action. "I know from experience that the current scanner is operating at absolute maximum capacity and yet is still unable to keep up with the ever increasing demand."

First diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, Mrs Kyte has undergone extensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the RUH. However, the cancer has returned and she is currently undergoing further treatment.

"I have good days and bad days, but working on March Miles is giving me something positive to focus my efforts on," she said. "I want to be able to do this for the hospital that has both supported and done so much for me and hope that other people in the RUH catchment area will join in and lend their support."

Ruth Wilkinson, events and community officer for the appeal is urging people to back the event. She said: "From organising local March Miles mini sponsored walks, to supporting Vanessa and her team along the route, there are ways for absolutely everyone regardless of age and ability to take part in this event, such as just making a donation.

"Those wanting to take on a greater challenge are invited to participate in the whole walk or just stroll along a section, or even half a section, of the route in your area."

The walk begins on March 26 and goes on until April 1.

For further information on how you can join in with March Miles, contact the Events Team at The Forever Friends Appeal on (01225) 825825.