Friends of the late Ruth David have raised more than £8,500 by retracing some of her favourite local places in a sponsored walk in her memory.

Ms David, 54, tragically passed away in September last year following a battle with cancer and spent her last days in the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

This year, her friends decided to take to the road as a tribute to her, while also raising money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and Penny Brohn Cancer Care in Bristol.

The sponsored walk was held on September 6 and more than 40 of Ruth’s friends got together to try and raise as much as possible.

Melanie King, who knew Ms David for years, described the walk as a ‘wonderful tribute to a fantastic friend’.

She said: “Walkies with Woof raised an incredible £8,712.30 which was split between the two charities.

“Penny Brohn cancer care in Bristol said their share was the largest amount given by single community event, and the £4,339.02 raised for them could fund 123 people through their support clinic.”

The friends began walking in Crewkerne, where Ruth lived, before continuing through Bridport, Beaminster, Mosterton and West Bay.

Emma Smith, events officer for Penny Brohn, said: “We’re so grateful for the support of Melanie and her friends.

“The £4,000 raised in Ruth’s memory is such an incredible amount and will help fund our services to support more people living with cancer.

“Thank you so much to Melanie, Melissa, all the walkers and everyone who supported them.”

Melanie added that Ruth was born in Stoke Abbott and lived in Dorset all her life. She worked at Girling and Bowditch veterinary practice for 35 years.

She said: “Ruth was my best and closest friend and when she died last year there was a great hole in my life and I had to focus on doing something in her memory. This year we needed a new challenge so came up with a speed march to raise money for the charities that helped her during her illness.

“Ruth was a very special person who was loved by everyone that knew her.”

The group’s efforts come after a separate fundraiser last year where friends of Ruth sold her favourite flowers – sunflowers – in her memory and raised more than £1,500 for Weldmar.

n Anyone still wanting to donate can visit justgiving. com/Melanie-King4 or call Melanie at The Mop Shop, Beaminster, on 01308 863323.