A local catering company is asking people to join them in walking down memory lane in the Cotswolds next weekend dressed in 1970s gear, to raise vital funds for a Gloucestershire hospice.

The walk has been organised by Space Catering in memory of Malcolm Ball, who passed away at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in September.

Organiser Chris Lee from Space Catering said: "Sense of humour, community theatre and disco were at the heart of Malcolm, so we thought combining these with a charity walk would be a great way for us not only to pay tribute and say goodbye to a truly wonderful man, but also raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, who cared for him and his family.

"Everyone is warmly welcomed to join us and all are invited to dress in anything from the 1970s as a salute to Malcolm. We will have a prize for the best dressed walker too."

Taking place on Saturday, November 23, the seven-mile or full 14-mile Cotswold charity walk starts at Cheltenham Racecourse from 8am, with 1970s walkers able to arrive from 7am. Ninety people have already signed up for the walk.

The route will take in Southam, Prestbury, spectacular views from Cleeve Hill then the Cotswold Way, reaching the halfway point at Koloshi restaurant where hot drinks and snacks will be on offer.

Here, any walkers that feel they cannot continue can arrange a lift back to Cheltenham Racecourse while the full 14-mile walkers will continue on foot to the finish line at Pittville School, where a BBQ and refreshments will be available. Here everyone can congregate and cheer the rest of the walkers in as they arrive.

Chris added: "It will be a challenging walk and along the way there will be some tough bits, but that's why we are doing this. Whatever the route throws at us, there will also be lots of nice bits too.

"There will be picturesque spots to take a break and have a sandwich or rest our feet! It's in these moments we will remember why we are doing this walk, and of all the good we are doing too - offering support for local people and their families while they are going through some of the hardest times of their lives."

Malcolm received care at the only specialist inpatient palliative care unit in Gloucestershire - Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Chris added: "Malcolm's final days were spent at the Sue Ryder hospice in Gloucestershire, where he received palliative care for his illness and was treated with love and dignity.

"Not only did Sue Ryder provide this care for Malcolm but they also offered love and support to his wife, Vanessa, and his children. The care that he received meant that his final days were spent in nice surroundings with wonderful people where his family could be around him and where he was kept as pain free as possible.

"Sue Ryder do truly amazing work and we would like to say thank you and show our support by inviting as many of you as possible to join us on this fundraising walk."

Tickets for the walk are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/malcolm-ballsdeep-in-the-cotswolds-tickets-74788391091 

If you can't make the walk but would still like to donate, you can support the 70s charity walk at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/deepinthecotswolds 

For more information, email deepinthecotswolds@spacegroup.uk