PEOPLE who joined a fundraising ramble around Petersfield in May have raised more than £10,000 for good causes and charities around East Hampshire.

Some 325 people completed the four-and-a-half-mile Walk for Peace that was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) with the twin aims of fostering closer communities and raising money for good causes.

On October 5, nine local charities reaped the benefits and received cheques from East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds at a ceremony at Penns Place, Petersfield.

FitzRoy, Challengers, Artscape and The Rosemary Foundation all received £1,590, while Home-Start Butser, Home-Start Hampshire, Age Concern Cowplain, The Kings Arms and Dementia Friends each received £848.

Even more cash could be dished out next year as an even greater number of walkers are expected to take part.

Julie Butler, EHDC’s portfolio holder for customer relations, said: “For such a new event, raising £10,600 for local charities is an incredible achievement.

“The voluntary sector in East Hampshire is so important to our quality of life here and I am delighted that so many people came out to support these worthy charities last year.

“I am very ambitious about how many people will be taking part next year and I hope to we will raise even more money.”

Rafi Ahmad, vice-chairman of Charity Walk for Peace, said: “The organisation of the Charity Walk for Peace is amazing – the food, the signage, the marshalling and everything that goes into putting on a major event.

“And it also consolidates the special relationship between EHDC and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, which reaches its peak each year with Jalsa Salana.

“The charities that have benefited are representative of the extraordinary voluntary sector we’re fortunate to have here in East Hampshire.”