A RECORD number of fundraisers put their best foot forward for good causes.

Despite the rain threatening to dampen spirits more than 700 people walked the Test Way to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

In what was the biggest ever turnout for the annual eventmost of the walkers reached the finish line before the showers arrived but some got a drenching as they arrived at Romsey War Memorial Park.

Sunday’s marathon walk took fundraisers along a 25.5 mile stretch of the Test Way, between St Mary Bourne near Andover and Romsey, raising money for causes, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Hampshire Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service.

Among those tackling the route, alongside the Mayor of Test Valley Jan Lovell, were members of a Wherwell family, who took part to raise money and awareness for a charity very close to their hearts.

Louisa Roberts-West, her husband Jock, daughters Agnes, 12, and Elizabeth, nine, and Dolly the Labradoodle, collected more than £2,000 for the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association (PSP) after walking 16 miles from Wherwell to Romsey.

In 2006, Louisa’s mother, Elizabeth Barclay, died of the degenerative disease, which causes the gradual death of nerve cells in the brain, leading to difficulty with balance, vision, speech and swallowing.

That inspired Louise, 45, to set up a PSP drop-in group at Wherwell Village Hall in May 2013, before taking part in last weekend’s walk.

She said: “It is nice for them to not feel alone, as much for the carers as for sufferer. I think that some of them get together and keep in touch between sessions so they have made friendships.

“I am determined to make people realise that PSP is out there.”

The support group meets every f o u r t h F r i d a y b e t w e e n 11am and 1pm, with 20-30 people regularly travelling from as far afield as Bristol and East Sussex to take part.

The next session at Wherwell Village Hall will take place on Friday, October 31.

Contact Louisa on 07721 073342.