A SPONSORED walk has raised a whopping £5,500 in aid of the Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) in this its 50th year.

Organised by Ellisfield woman Hannah Houstin-Laces (pictured far left) the event attracted 61 walkers who, joined by North East Hampshire MP Ranil Jayawardena, enjoyed a walk in the countryside north of Alton last month to raise awareness and funds for the charity’s campaigning work.

Hannah said: “A relaxed and fun family day was had by all and I am immensely grateful to everyone who supported the walk; walkers and sponsors, the catering teams, general helpers, friends and for the many generous donations and sponsorship gathered in aid of CPRE Hampshire.”

Registered walkers were entered into a draw to win a week’s holiday accommodation in Tenerife and the lucky winners were Neil and Emma Carmichael, from Cliddesden, near Basingstoke.

CPRE Hampshire works across the county to help ensure that a beautiful, thriving countryside is available for everyone to value and enjoy. The charity depends entirely on public support.

Some of its major achievements includ: the creation of the South Downs National Park, successfully campaigning against threats to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other valued landscapes, and advocating use of brownfield (previously developed) land before greenfield – 78 per cent of new housing in Hampshire has been built on brownfield land in the last decade.

For more details about the work of CPRE Hampshire, call 01962 841897 or visit cprehampshire.org.uk.