A cancer fundraising walk will take place in a Hampshire village next month.

Academics from the University of Southampton, where considerable breast cancer research is undertaken, will marshal and support walkers during the Breast Walk Ever charity event scheduled for May 12.

The marathon, organised by Against Breast Cancer (ABC), will start and end at Hursley.

For the second consecutive year, ABC-funded PhD student Grace Hayes, researching bone metastasis from breast cancer at the University of Southampton’s Centre for Cancer Immunology, will help marshal the event.

She stated: "The funding that ABC provides enables lifesaving work here at Southampton, so it’s a privilege to be able to support their vital fundraising efforts in this way."

Several academic and research staff will join Grace.

Among them will be Dr Charlie Birts, lecturer and researcher in Antibody Therapeutics funded by ABC, and ABC-funded research technician Anna-Liese Silber.

Participants will also enjoy the company of breast cancer survivor Karen Arney, a retired GP from Wellow near Romsey.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago and with secondary breast cancer five years ago.

Ms Arney, along with her springer spaniel Luna, will be the tail walker for the event, following the last participants.

Karen expressed how running and walking have had significant positive impacts on her well-being.

She said: "Running and walking have helped me massively.

"If you are physically fit it stands you in good stead for treatment for any illness, and through running I have built up stamina and endurance.

"It’s also great for my mental health – when I am running, I leave everything behind."

ABC events manager Richard Martin said: "We are delighted to be back in Hampshire close to where a significant proportion of our research takes place in Southampton.

"We received lots of lovely feedback last year from supporters who relished the chance to talk to a number of our researchers who were volunteering on the day."

The Breast Walk Ever offers three walking distances to appeal to different fitness levels - a 10km, a half marathon (21km), or a full marathon (42km).