WHILE many nonagenarians might prefer to spend the evening relaxing at home, Paddi Spruyt was striding out for a 5km walk for a hospice care charity.

The 92-year-old from Beeches Green, Stroud, took part in the Walk for Longfield on Friday with hundreds of other supporters of the Gloucestershire hospice care charity.

Accompanied by her daughter, Pashyo, Paddi was the first to step out on the route which took in breathtaking views over Minchinhampton Common as well as a pit stop for free ice cream at Winstones.

Walkers were raising funds for Longfield Hospice which provides specialist services for adults in Gloucestershire affected by life-limiting illness and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

So far £5,000 has been raised by the 392 walkers.

All the money raised will enable Longfield to build on its firm foundation to help even more people across Gloucestershire.

It was the fifth time Paddi had taken part in the Walk for Longfield in memory of her late husband, John.

The great-grandmother tries to walk every day and has recently returned from a pilgrimage to Holland.

She said: “I have been a pilgrim and followed Saint Francis around the world and we don’t sleep in hostels or hotels, we sleep on the floor.

“So this is very special to come to the hospice walk and give pilgrimage. It’s fantastic and I like meeting all the walkers on the Common.”

Paddi took just over two hours to complete the scenic circuit and when she arrived back at Longfield in Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton, she was presented with a celebratory glass of Baileys from the pop-up bar provided by The Prince Albert.

Walkers enjoyed live music, a pop-up bar and food after they completed their walk. They also had an opportunity to remember a loved one on the special memorial.

Other families taking part in the walk and enjoying the entertainment included sisters Liz Grange, 27 and Naomi Benneyworth, 30, both from Stroud, in memory of their late father, Paul, who died from pancreatic cancer last year.

“Longfield were really good at putting things in place and helping him get what he needed,” said Liz, who brought along her one-year-old son, Zach.

“It’s nice to keep remembering him and thinking about him.”

For more information visit longfield.org.uk