MORE than 40 walkers took to the hills around Selkirk last weekend to break through the £150,000 fundraising barrier.

Since 1988 Joyce Wright, along with members of the Selkirk Cancer Research committee, has helped organise a fundraising hike into the hills in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Apart from 2001, due to foot-and-mouth, she has been joined by dozens of fellow fundraisers.

Last Sunday 41 of them covered just over 20 miles from Dryhope in Yarrow to Selkirk, via Traquair and the Three Brethren.

Joyce told us: "The committee are indebted to the many people who help out on the day including Borders Buses who provided transport to the starting point of the walk and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team who continue to support the walk every year and their reassuring presence is always appreciated - thankfully there were no casualties this year!

"The scenic route which follows the Southern Upland Way for the most part is not for the faint hearted, particularly the hard climb out of Traquair.

"However the walkers take it all in their stride with many returning every year to support this worthy cause."

Sunday's sponsored walk was completed in sunshine.

And many of them have already signed up to take part next year.

Heather Duff, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for the Scottish Borders, welcomed the continued support of the walkers.

She told the Border Telegraph: “We are absolutely delighted that the Selkirk Local Committee continue this annual walk to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

“It was fantastic to see so many people participate in this year’s event. We can’t thank the people of Selkirk enough for their ongoing support to the committee.

“Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our research.”

The walk is normally held on the last Sunday of April – if you would like to register an interest in next year’s walk contact Joyce on 0794 778 1675.

For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit cruk.org.