The sun shone for the KM Charity Team’s annual summer stroll on Sunday as hundreds of walkers raised thousands of pounds for their favourite causes.

Two hundred and fifty walkers of all ages took part in the annual event, now in its 22nd year, to raise £10,000 for 20 charities including Kent Association for the Blind, East Kent Hospitals Charity, Guide Dogs Medway, Seashells Children’s Centre, Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled, Thanet Community Development Trust, Deal Air Cadets, Litter Angels, and Motor Neurone Disease Association East Kent.

Grade II listed Georgian mansion Mote House in Maidstone provided the start and end point for the five- and 10-mile circular routes, which were enjoyed by friends, families, rambling groups and business teams from across the county. The oldest participant was 80 year-old Brian Sanders from Ashford and the youngest was six month-old Lily Pinto from Gravesend – although technically she was carried by her father Helder!

A summer fayre with live music in the mansion’s grounds entertained the walkers after they collected their medals and goody bags at the finish line. Free massages were provided by the European School of Osteopathy and refreshments were available from Mote House, Simply Ice Cream, Kent Cider, The Spud Hut, Chegworth Valley Juice, and Hush Heath Winery.

Children completed a Scavenger Hunt and Nature Detective worksheets supplied by the Kent Wildlife Trust and volunteers from the charity helped the youngsters to make art with the items they had collected on the walk.

Organiser Sophie Wallace of the KM Charity Team thanked event partners Glosrose Group, Gullands Solicitors, Mote House Audley, Maidstone Ramblers, and The Woodstove Trading Company for their support.

She said: “The day had a fantastic atmosphere with a wonderful turnout of happy walkers supporting many good causes across the county including our own. It was great that so many local businesses partnered with us making it a real community event - this is what the KM Charity Walk is all about."

Sophie added: “I’d particularly like to thank Del Cook and his team from the Maidstone Ramblers who have been a huge support in planning and running a very successful day.”

Organisations interested in finding out about sponsorship packages for the 2018 walk should contact Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752 or sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk.

Popular events run by the KM Charity Team include the KM Assault Course Challenge on October 8, KM Quizzes on July 8 and November 17, and KM Abseil Challenge on November 12. Visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk and click on ‘Event Booking’ or click HERE.