THE Rotary Club of Bradford is organising a major drive to raise money for the city's hospice.

Its annual charity walk will take place on Sunday, June 12, and will consist of two routes along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The event will be taking place to raise money for the Marie Curie Hospice in Maudsley Street, Bradford, which provides care and support for people going through terminal illnesses and their families.

Phillip Sharp, walk organiser at the Rotary Club, said the charity has been holding the event every two years for the past 40 years.

He said: "I've been a member of the club for nearly 30 years, and the walks were happening well before I joined.

"We pick a different charity to support for every walk, and this year our president Alan Rogers decided to choose the Bradford Marie Curie Hospice, because it is in the public eye and it is a great cause.

"Some of the other charities we have supported in the past include Help for Heroes and some local Bradford-based charities.

We usually get about 80 to 100 walkers taking part, but we would like to invite as many people as possible to join us in June to raise money for a great cause."

Sharon Link, community fundraiser at the Bradford Hospice, said that Marie Curie has always been well supported by the city's Rotary Clubs.

She said: "We greatly appreciate the help and the support of the Rotary Club of Bradford to raise funds for the Bradford hospice.

"The Rotary Clubs around the city are generous and helpful to our cause which is great for us, as it helps the hospice to continue our care for people with terminal illnesses in the district."

The walk takes in two routes, of four miles and seven miles, and walkers will have the choice of doing either one or both of the routes.

The four mile walk will begin on the canal's towpath, before going through Buck Woods and back to the canal and back to the start via Otley Road.

The seven mile walk goes along the canal towards Saltaire, then up towards Shipley Glen past the tramway, before continuing on to Eldwick and then back down to the canal returning to the start point.

As the event is not a sponsored walk, participants are asked to raise money for the hospice prior to the walk, and hand over their donations before they start the walks.

The entry fee for the walk is £6 per person, which covers light refreshments and costs, but walkers are advised to bring their own food and drink.

For more information about the walk or to register your interest, contact the walk's organiser Phillip Sharp on 01274 581630 or phillipsharp@hotmail.co.uk.