People are being urged to fundraise with their feet by organisers of this year’s Shipley Stride in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 5.5 mile walk will be on Sunday, May 9, from 10am, and will start at Bracken Hall.

Walkers will cross the moor and pass Baildon golf course before descending towards Crook Farm caravan park and then back to Bracken Hall.

Jim Thornber, 79, helped form the Shipley Stride committee after being asked to choose a walk for the event.

He was co-founder of the Millennium Way, a set of walks around Bradford, one of which became the route of the Stride in 2003.

Mr Thornber said: “I have done the walk myself every year. I’ll have to give up before long, but not this year. I’m 80 soon and I’m still going.”

The Millennium Way committee is to donate £100 to Macmillan Cancer Support and £100 to Sue Ryder Care in memory of walk leader Malcolm Hutton and walker Nancy Bottomley, who both died of cancer.

Urging people to support the Shipley Stride, Mr Thornber said: “Any kind of walking is good for you, and it is raising money for a good cause. Cancer affects so many people.”

Since its launch in 2003 the Shipley Stride has raised £106,925.

Last year 292 walkers joined in and £11,131 was raised for Macmillan to continue its vital work supporting people affected by cancer.

The largest number of walkers the event has attracted was 482 in 2007 and organisers are hoping to hit 600 this year.

Macmillan fundraising manager for Bradford, Mandy Child, said: “The views are stunning, and the route has a mixture of chilled and challenging sections. It is definitely a route that will suit everyone.

“As the fundraising manager for the area, it’s about getting people out there enjoying our countryside, improving their health whilst raising money to support Macmillan, which helps me raise awareness that our services are out there in the local community offering help and support to enable everyone living with cancer to take the first step towards more good days.”

To sign up telephone (01924) 232444, e-mail shipleystride@macmillan.org.uk, visit Macmillan’s website or fill in the form at the top left of this page.