Huge turnout for Christmas charity walk

The Christmas Day tradition at the Furze Bush pub in Ball Hill has been going for ten years

ABOUT 200 people turned out for the annual Christmas Day charity walk in West Berkshire on Tuesday (27).

The five-mile walk started at the Furze Bush and headed out to North End, via Heath End, to St Martin's Church and back the Ball Hill pub.

The walk, which was organised by the Los Jubilados Luncheon Club - a group of three men, Ian Briggs, Clive Sanders and John Angle - has taken place for the past 27 years and has raised money for charity for the past 10 years.

This year, the charity was Jacksplace, a facility for teenagers at Naomi House children's hospice in Sutton Scotney.

A total of £600 was raised.

Mr Briggs thanked Budgens in Wash Common and Waitrose in Newbury for supplying some mince pies, the staff at the Furze Bush for drinks and lunch, and everyone else who supported the event.

He said: "We were fortunate with the dry weather, in fact it was quite warm, and this helped with the attendance.

"We look forward to next year.”