GP Sarah Evans is preparing to take to the hills to support a local hospice charity that cares for her patients.

Sarah will be walking the first nine miles of the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge next Sunday, September 18, with her daughter Xanthe, husband David and Em the dog, to raise money for newly-merged charity Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care (IRGH). The annual charity walk begins in Princes Risborough and follows the last 18 miles of the famous Ridgeway trail, taking in the peaks of Whiteleaf Cross, Coombe Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon.

Sarah said: “As a GP I have so much respect for the work of the Iain Rennie nurses with my own patients in Berkhamsted, and I would always support and join in with their fundraising efforts.”

For Sarah there is now an extra reason to support the event as she is also a staunch supporter of Grove House: “Grove House is a hugely important resource for my patients. With ever-reducing counselling of any kind available within the NHS and the steady decline of other voluntary organisations, Grove House is in particular a huge support for people who are dealing with bereavement.

“Despite the extensive experience of bereavement that I have had through my job, when my first husband Jonathan died in 2005 I discovered for myself how bereavement telescopes down your world from the inside. We would never have traversed the waves of grief and the self-absorption without the bereavement support we had.

“So on many different levels we are pleased to be taking part in the walk and supporting the vital work of Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care.”

Walkers can choose from a five-mile, nine-mile or the full 18-mile route with all participants enjoying a rest at the five mile point in Wendover where a barbecue will be ready and waiting for walkers to buy a tasty burger or hot dog.

Entry is �15 for adults and �7.50 for children and this includes a t-shirt and a medal. For further information or to sign up for the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge 2011 please go to www.c3peaks.com .

You can also support the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge by using the new text giving service. Simply text the code CTPK01 followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070 and the money will be deducted from your credit balance or added to your bill.