Friends of the late Ruth David rallied round to visit some of her favourite local places in a sponsored walk in her memory.

Ms David, 54, passed away in September last year following a battle with cancer and spent her last days in the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

This year, her friends decided to take to the road as a tribute to her, while also raising money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and Penny Brohn Cancer Care in Bristol.

The sponsored walk was held on September 6 and more than 40 of Ruth’s friends got together to try and raise as much as possible.

Melanie King, who knew Ms David for years, described the walk as a ‘wonderful tribute to a fantastic friend’.

She added: “The march took place on Ruth’s birthday and we met at 10am in Falklands Square in Crewkerne, where she lived, and ended up at the Harbour Cafe in West Bay.

“We had a really fabulous day – thank you to the drivers of Somerset and Dorset for their patience, generosity and good humour.

“We want to say a special thank you to our tractor driver Steve Donn of Beamin-ster who kept us safe, Cyndy Mud-ford at Harbour Cafe and the Ann Day Cafe in Beam-inster for the refreshments, as well as everyone who took part.”

Fundraising pots and forms are still being collected for the walk and a fundraising total is still being added up, Melanie said. The group’s efforts come after a separate fundraiser last year where friends of Ruth sold her favourite flowers – sunflowers – in her memory and raised more than £1,500 for Weldmar.

Melanie said: “Ruth was born in Stoke Abbott and lived in Dorset all her life.

“She worked at Girling and Bowditch veterinary practice for 35 years.

“She was my best and closest friend and when she died last year I had a great hole in my life and had to focus on doing something in her memory. This year we needed a new challenge so came up with a speed march to raise money for the charities that helped her during her illness.

“Ruth was a very special person who was loved by everyone that knew her.”

There is still time to donate to the group by visiting justgiving.com/Melanie-King4 or calling Melanie at The Mop Shop, Beaminster, on 01308 863323.