HUNDREDS of walkers stepped out to make a difference for meningitis on Sunday.

The sun shone for more than 1,500 ramblers who took part in the Five Valleys Walk.

Although sponsorship money is yet to be counted it is hoped the walk will raise £50,000 for Stroud-based national charity the Meningitis Trust/Meningitis UK.

A range of pitstops featuring award-winning local ales, cupcakes, ice-creams and snacks kept walkers fully refreshed as they made their way around the 21-mile route.

Many covered all the checkpoints in Nailsworth, Minchinhampton, Brimscombe, Eastcombe, Slad, Pitchcombe, Standish, Stonehouse and Dudbridge, while there was a free Stagecoach bus service for those who took on smaller sections of the walk.

Organiser Caroline McDonnell said: “A huge thank you to everyone who turned out to help us raise awareness of meningitis and funds to combat it.

"It is events like this that enable us to make such a difference to those who need us.

"Without the support of all our walkers we simply wouldn't be able to achieve what we do and offer our lifesaving and life-changing services.

“Thanks in part to the lovely weather we enjoyed on the day we saw plenty of people taking part, many with very moving reasons for doing so.

“I would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped us again this year, providing First Aid support, ferrying people back to their start point and running the checkpoints."

All money raised will go to support the charity’s work fighting meningitis on all fronts, from funding research into lifesaving vaccines and other preventative measures to raising awareness and helping those battling back with support services and after-care.

For more pictures from the walk click here.