SALFORD PRIORS woman celebrated her 59th birthday by walking nearly ten miles to raise money for a new renal unit in Stratford.

Nola Millward, whose son-in-law Kevin Cheshire has kidney problems, took up the challenge after meeting appeal publicity officer Carolyn Russam.

She said: "I instantly warmed to Carolyn when I first met her at my hairdressers in Bidford and promised to do all I could to help her appeal. Walking with my dog, Chesh, we raised an amazing £600 through sponsorship from family and friends - not bad when my target was only £200."

When Maxine Clarke, duty manager of Salford Hall Hotel, heard about the walk, she made sure she was on hand to serve them both drinks en route.

"I was really taken aback, it was such an unexpected surprise," Nola said.

The Ragley Hall housekeeper has continued to support the appeal by rustling up raffle prizes from the local community.

Her donation was one of many from people taking part in sponsored walks, who have given a total of £3,000 to the appeal, which hopes to raise £300,000 to equip the kidney unit being built by the NHS.

Other walkers who have raised money for the appeal include Penny Haines, a practice nurse at the Arden Medical Centre, and husband Michael, who raised £1,265 from a seven-day 95-mile walk along the West Highland Way.

Shelly Murphy, a support worker at the renal unit at Walsgrave Hospital, and her husband Robert raised more than £1,000 from a ten-mile walk with friends and family in the Cotswolds.

The new renal unit is expected to be open about the end of next year but the fundraising for equipment like curtains, chairs and personal television, audio and video ports for patients on dialysis, will continue until the target has been reached.