SIX friends are gearing up for a gruelling 103-mile five-day trek to raise money for Mary Stevens Hospice in memory of a much-loved Halesowen mum.

Windsor High School receptionist Kim Ralph died on May 11 just six months after being diagnosed as having an inoperable brain tumour.

She leaves behind husband Mick and children Stephanie, aged 22, Bradley, aged 17, and ten-year-old Rebecca.

Friends Danny Piesley, Darren Waldron, Eddie Guest, Corey Lane, Eric Weston and Jerry Plane, all from Halesowen, were already planning to tackle the Cotswolds Way, from Chipping Camden to Bath, carrying all their own camping equipment and walking 20 miles a day, starting on Tuesday June 14.

Mr Piesley said: “We know Mick from the Hawne Tavern and after Kim’s death we thought it would be a nice gesture to raise money for the hospice in her memory.”

Mr Ralph said he “could not be more proud” that the fundraising challenge was in Kim’s name.

He added: “Mary Stevens were absolutely fantastic. She was only there for six days but they made her comfortable and did everything they could for her.”

The friends have already raised more than £1,000 and anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/cotswoldyomp Mr Ralph said he hoped to mark the anniversary of his wife’s death with an annual fundraising event.