FOR some of those stepping out on the Orwell Walk yesterday there was an extra special reason for taking part.

Bracve Mandy Dennington has been fighting breast cancer for the last year.

And yesterday the mum-of-two, of Sheldrake Drive, was joined by her family as she attempted to tackle as much of the Orwell Walk as possible.

Mandy was raising money for the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk (CCIS) walking alongside her husband, David and children, Ryan, 13 and Lauren, 11. Her sister, Lynne, also took part with her colleagues from Ipswich Building Society.

Mandy walked about four miles and in total the group raised about �1,500.

Mandy said: “David and the children managed the full 25 [miles] and I’m really proud of them. I did the first stage and the last stage. The Rotary Club were really good. They picked me up at the first stage and took me back to the last stage.

“It was lovely to see them doing it.”

Mandy said she was inspired to walk for CCIS because the funds they raise go to help people in Suffolk.

For more information about CCIS visit www.cancercampaigninsuffolk.co.uk

For Michelle Luetchford, road safety charity Brake has become a big part of her life ever since her sister, Emma Harold and their friend Kate Wasyluk died in February 2009 after drink-driver Scott Nicholls ploughed into the girls as they walked home from a night out.

Younger sister Beccy Rutter survived the crash but was left with life-changing injuries.

Since then, Michelle has campaigned for Brake and yesterday she and nine members of her family raised nearly �600 for the charity by taking part in the walk. She said: “It was very wet and muddy but it was good fun. Brake does a great job with counselling and helping families that have lost somebody and it does a brilliant job in raising awareness.”

For more photos of the Orwell Walk see our main story and gallery. Click on the link above right.