IT might not be Mount Everest, but 31 miles across Worcestershire is a very long way to walk in a day if you are a weekend athlete.

However it was all in a good cause for staff from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcestershire Business Central and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, who raised £4000 for St Richard's Hospice by completing the Worcestershire Way Walk.

Ten members of staff and friends braved the 31 miles from Bewdley to Malvern, beginning with an early 5am start outside St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester and then making their way to Bewdley where they set off at 6am.

The first 20 miles were completed in good time, with team spirit, beautiful countryside and the prospect of lunch keeping the group going. After a much needed meal at The Talbot at Knightwick, the team began the last stretch, fatigue and blisters beginning to have an effect. The last six miles on the slopes of the Malvern Hills were especially tough and the walkers were relieved to see the cheering volunteers at the finish line at 8pm.

Sharon Williams, deputy chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The amount of money we received exceeded our expectations and I want to say a big thank you to all of the businesses who supported us. The walk was definitely a tough experience, but knowing that we had raised such a lot of money for St Richard’s enabled us to keep going until the end. It’s brilliant that we have made such a tangible difference”.