SPONSORED walkers endured the rain to raise a sum likely to top £30,000 for a specialist hospital.
Sunday’s 10th annual Buttercup Walk was held at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, in Brockley Hill, Stanmore, and is a revival of the Buttercup Day held between the First and Second World Wars, in which children would pick buttercups from the hospital’s grounds to sell in central London.
More than 600 people took to the course after special guest Max Milner – a contestant on BBC talent show The Voice and a last-minute replacement for fellow The Voice star Jaz Ellington – cheered the participants off at the start line at noon and later drew the winning raffle tickets.
The proceeds will be used to improve the buildings, equipment and patient care at the hospital.
Rosie Stolarski, the hospital charity’s head of fundraising, said: “Everyone got into the spirit of the day, despite the occasional downpour.
“Patients return year after year to attend the walk, and it is always so encouraging to see how many have progressed following their treatment at the RNOH.
“We are grateful to Max Milner for stepping in at very short notice to officially open the walk and draw the raffle.
“His attendance was warmly welcomed by a lot of young fans.”
Walkers, some of whom were disabled or who walked on behalf of patients and others who could not complete the course themselves, finished a one-mile route, while spectators enjoyed activities such as a climbing wall, bouncy castle, beat the goalie and pony rides.
Donate to the Buttercup Walk or the RNOH’s Redevelopment Appeal at www.rnohcharity.org.
