IT IS the biggest annual charity fundraiser in the Test Valley and hundreds of people are preparing to put their best foot forward to help needy causes in the region.

Today's Walk the Test Way is organised by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test and more than 270 walkers will be out in force for the marathon fundraiser.

Rotary bosses are hoping smash last year’s fundraising total, which saw more than £75,000 netted for numerous charities’ coffers.

Competitors have a choice of five walking distances ranging from five to 26 miles.

Much of the route between St Mary Bourne near Andover and Romsey follows the old Sprat and Winkle railway line which was axed by Dr Beeching in mid-1960s.

Starting points include St Mary Bourne, Wherwell, Stockbridge, Horsebridge and Mottisfont.

Since it was started in 2004, Walk the Test Way has raised almost £500,000 for local and national charities helping people from all walks of life.

A total of the percentage of cash raised by each participant goes to charities supported by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test.

For one competitor, who has devoted the last 25 years of his life raising cash for charity, Walk the Test Way will be his final challenge.

Bruce Elkins is bowing out of big charity fundraisers and he hopes to raise pots of cash for Wessex Cancer Trust and also the Rose Road Association.

He is a partner in Southampton-based accountants Wilkins Kennedy and this year he’s set his heart on raising £20,000 for Wessex Cancer through various fundraisers and he is hoping to reach that target by Walking the Test Way.

“I haven’t done Walk the Test Way before”, said 57-year-old Bruce who is married with two grown-up daughters.

“I thought it would be a good way to sign off with my fundraising. I have a team of 75 professionals and friends doing it with me to help raise about £8,000. I have already raised about £18,000 this year for Wessex Cancer and I would like to raise another £5,000 for the Rose Road Appeal.”

He said all the money he’s raised for Wessex Cancer will go towards providing equipment for the charity’s new cancer support centre at Hythe, in the New Forest.

Anyone who would like to support Bruce’s final fundraiser should log onto justgiving.com/bruce-elkins1.