The annual Walk of Life to raise money for the Royal United Hospital’s new cancer centre was launched this week.

The 21mile walk, organised by the Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal charity, is in its sixth year and was created in memory of Vanessa Kyte, who died in November 2007 having lived with cancer for seven years.

Her sister Nicola Noble, from Warminster, said: “The Walk of Life is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the life and memories of loved ones.

“I love it when I see so many people from the local community coming together to support such a wonderful cause.

“We look forward to this event every year and for me, knowing that all the money raised is going to help build a new cancer unit that Vanessa dreamt of is an added bonus.”

The walk, on May 18, starts at Devizes Wharf, heads through Bradford on Avon and finishes just off the canal in Sydney Gardens, Bath.

Entry is £15 and walkers can choose to walk the full distance, 12 miles from Devizes to Bradford on Avon or nine miles in the afternoon from Bradford on Avon to Bath.

Events and community officer for The Forever Friends Appeal, Jo Hones, said: “The Walk of Life is an absolutely stunning walk and I love being out and about on the day seeing the smiles on our walkers’ faces. “Every year the event gets bigger and that’s down to word of mouth. We have walkers join in from all over the hospital catchment area and they always seem to enjoy the challenge.”

Mogers Solicitors in Bath will be sponsoring the walk this year.

Rebecca Silcock, family partner at Mogers, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Walk of Life.

“Many people have either been touched by cancer or know someone who has.”

Organisers are urging people not to just take part in the walk but to also volunteer as marshals who will be handing out refreshments and encouraging the walkers.

Last year more than £30,000 was raised to help kick start the funding for RUH Cancer Care Campaign, and organisers are hoping to beat that amount this year.

The campaign to raise £5million over the next four years towards the cost of building the new £20.5million cancer centre was launched in March 2012.

To sign up for the 2013 Walk of Life, download an entry form from www. foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or call the events team on 01225 825823.