David BaleA charity today urged more people in Norwich to sign up for the Starlight Walk before it takes place later this weekDavid Bale

A charity today urged more people in Norwich to sign up for the Starlight Walk before it takes place later this week.

Almost 600 people have already pledged to hike 13 miles around Norwich's ring road at midnight on Friday, June 18 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

But Jenni Maxwell, Macmillan Cancer Support's area fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, said a final push was needed.

She said: 'It's fantastic that 600 people have registered to take part in the walk, but more are needed before the deadline.

'Ideally we'd love to reach 1,000 walkers and smash the amount raised last year.'

Meanwhile, David Murrell, 34, is taking part in the walk as a memorial to his mother Pam Murrell who died from breast cancer on May 19.

Mr Murrell, from Scott Road, off Carrow Road, said his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She went through treatment and the doctors were happy with how she was progressing.

However, she took a turn for the worse and it transpired that the cancer had spread to the site of a previous back injury.

She spent about seven weeks in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Priscilla Bacon Lodge where they tried to control the pain so they could begin treatment to slow down the spread - but she continued to go downhill.

Mr Murrell, deputy manager at the Seamarge hotel in Overstand, north Norfoklk, said she lived long enough to see him get engaged to his girlfriend Kirsty Harrison, who is also doing the Starlight Walk.

He said: 'The family got excellent support from the staff at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, some of whom may have been from Macmillan.

'We have already raised �450. We're doing it as a memorial to my mother and also because it's raising money for a very good cause.'

Every penny raised from The Starlight Walk will go directly to the charity and be spent only within Norfolk.

The Starlight Walk began in 2006 and has brought in over �200,000 for Macmillan in just four years.

This year the event is sponsored by Bennetts, the electrical retailers, and is supported by the UEA Sportspark and the Evening News. Registration costs �25 and the walk is open to over 16s only.

Are you taking part in the Starlight Walk? Tell us why by calling David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.

For more information or to register visit www.starlightwalknorwich.co.uk or call 01603 593779. To see more coverage on the event visit the Evening News at www.eveningnews24.co.uk/starlight.