MORE than a hundred family members and friends of a Worcester woman who died from a brain tumour turned out to raise £4,000 from a sponsored walk organised by her husband.

David Billings, who held the walk along the Malverns in aid of the Brain Tumour Foundation, had made an appeal in the Evening News for former colleagues who may have known his wife Vanessa, to take part.

Mr Billings was concerned that many of his late wife's former colleagues and friends may have been unaware that she had died earlier this year.

He said he wanted to do the sponsored walk in her memory to raise cash for the research charity.

Vanessa, a bank worker, died within hours of being admitted to hospital with head pains.

Both keen walkers, the couple spent most of their spare time walking in beauty spots like the Malvern Hills and the Lake District, and Mr Billings thought a walk would be the most apt way to raise funds and celebrate Vanessa's life.

"I would very much like to thank everyone who took part," he said.

"Vanessa will always be remembered for the lovely person that she was.

"She had a happy smile and a happy personality.

"I know she would be very proud that this money raised in her memory will give hope to many others.

"The good news is that we managed to raise £3,535 for the Brain Tumour Foundation and there are still a few sponsors to return cheques to me, so with a bit of luck the final figure will be around £4,000."