WALKERS hiked through the night to support Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club’s annual Walkley Walk.

The event, which covers a 20-mile stretch of the Ridgeway, has been taking place for 20 years and participants have raised more than £180,000 for local, national and international causes.

Walkers set out at 11pm on Saturday from the Red Lion pub in Avebury, tramping through the night to reach Bishopstone in the early hours of Sunday.

Rotary Club members support causes in their communities, nationally and around the world. The idea of the walk is to raise money for the group’s selected charities.

The club hopes this year’s funds will take them past the £200,000 fundraising mark.

Club vice president Bob Barrett said: “It was a great night, everyone was in very high spirits and thoroughly enjoyed the walk. The route can be challenging as there are a few hills to contend with, but everyone did very well.”

The club estimates this year’s walk has raised £30,000, some of which will go to the MS Therapy Centre, Macmillan nurses and Swindon Steps’ 10 to 18 project.

Bob, 53, who has been with Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club since 2005, said: “It is our key event in the year.

“We think about 185 people turned up, including cadets from Swindon Air Training Corps, who turned up in uniform and had a great time.”

All walkers tucked into a hearty breakfast at Royal Oak Pub in Bishopstone when they finished the walk.

“We really needed it,” said Bob.

“I think we were all a little tired after the walk but the breakfast certainly hit the spot.”

Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club is now taking registration for next year’s walk on June 11.

Walkers can sign up for the challenge at www.rotaryclubofswindonthamesdown.org.uk/ walkleywalk.