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Best foot forward for Weston Park Hospital - SLIDESHOW
PRETTY in pink - more than 700 volunteers put their best foot forward on a charity challenge in aid of Sheffield's Weston Park Hospital.
The five kilometre Walk As One was held for the first time this year at Don Valley Stadium and is expected to raise 30,000 for the hospital's charity.
The city's golden girl Jessica Ennis was there to start the action, which saw cancer survivors, people who had lost loved ones and the charity's many supporters doing their bit - many dressed in pink, which was the theme of the day.
World champion heptathlete Jess said she had chosen four charities to support during the coming year, and Weston Park was an obvious local option.
"Whenever I have some free time I will do what I can to help raise as much as possible. I know about the great work they do and the impact they can make on families from across the region," she said.
"I've been there several times and I was particularly impressed with the teenage cancer ward - it's an amazing place, especially how they make it a sort of home from home for young people.
"This isn't really a day off for me though - as soon as I've finished here I'll be out on my daily training session!"
Also supporting the walk was Mexborough's champion darts player Dennis 'The Menace' Priestley, who over the last year has been treated for prostate cancer at Weston Park.
The 59-year-old patron of the charity was tackling the walk with a ten-strong entourage of family and friends, all in his trademark red and black Dennis jumpers.
"I can't say my treatment at the hospital was a fantastic experience, but all the staff were second to none, courteous and efficient. They provide a service as good as anything you'll find if you go private - they do a marvellous job," he said.
Mark Fields, 48, from Norton Lees, was dressed for the event as Nurse Babs - and was walking with his 76-year-old mother Margaret, who has been battling ovarian cancer.
"It's just my way of saying thanks to the hospital - mum is still on the mend after six chemotherapy treatments and we're here to raise as much money as we can and really enter into the spirit of it," he said.
Sam Kay, 41, from Rotherham, was walking with her mum Barbara Mitchell, 63, from Gleadless, who has also been treated for ovarian cancer.
"The hospital does a fantastic job - and we are really so lucky to have a specialist cancer hospital in our city," Barbara said.
"It's here right on our doorstep and so we don't have to trek for miles for treatment. And they are so helpful, you can ring any time you need to for help or advice."
It was an emotional day for twin sisters Nicola Sacker and Deborah Woodward, 34, both from Rotherham, who lost their 29-year-old cousin Sarah to cervical cancer last July.
"This is the first time we have done something for the hospital and it means a lot to us," Nicola said. "They are also treating my mum-in-law at the moment and it is just amazing to be here doing something positive for Weston Park."
Also stepping out was Lord Mayor Coun Graham Oxley, who had his own team of walkers from his Town Hall office.
"This is the first event I have taken part in for the charity but I hope it is the first of many. It is one of my chosen charities for the year," he added.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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