More than 750 people will be pulling on their boots for Sunday’s Walk the Test Way and 100 of them will be raising cash for one charity.

Nicola Ridges-Jones of Romsey has put together a team of 100 who will be raising funds for Oracle, which carries out research into head and neck cancer.

Her team includes employees from her own firm MSX, plus Carswell Gould, Barclays, Handelsbanken, Clarke Willmott, Locators, Baker Tilly, Premier Portfolio, Radcliff’s and Twin Thieves. Nicola, the managing director of Totton-based travel retail supply company MSX, lost her own father Fred Ridges, to throat cancer in 2004.

She said: “There are lots of other types of cancers that are talked about a lot but head and neck cancers often tend to get less awareness raising in the press and sadly, less funding for research.

“The lack of information and support out there was something me and my family experienced first-hand when my father was diagnosed. Doctors locally gave him six months to live but we refused to accept this and started looking into what other help was out there.

“We came across the Royal Marsden and the time and attention they gave him was amazing. With their help, he went on to live another two years and I cannot even put into words how grateful I am to the charity for giving our family that extra time together.”

London-based ear, nose and throat surgeon, Peter Rhys-Evans, chairman of Oracle will be guest of honour at the Walk the Test Way fundraiser organised by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test.

Mr Rhys-Evans said: “We have to take our hats off to Nicola for her sheer hard work in making this happen. Persuading 100 people to walk such a distance is no easy task but her passion for Oracle Cancer Trust has captured the imagination of scores of people from across Hampshire and we’re delighted that they will be raising not only money but awareness for the vital work of our charity.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Nicola go on line to justgiving.com/team msx.

Rotary club spokesman Neill Beasley said over 730 people to take part in walk which has a choice of distances from five to 25.5 miles. So far 208 of them will be walking the maxmium distance.

Major charities being supported include Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Romsey and District Young Carers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Rose Road Appeal and Naomi House.

Entries can still be taken on the day. For details of registration at the Crosfield Hall check the website walkthetestway.org.uk