THOUSANDS of people gathered outside Darent Valley Hospital to raise money to help it buy cancer fighting equipment.

On Sunday (July 12) more than 2,000 people attended the Stride 4 Life fun day, with around 260 taking part in a sponsored walk around the hospital grounds.

Around £20,000 was raised for Darent Valley’s cancer fighting fund, which will go towards cryosurgery equipment for freezing tumours, expected to cost £90,000.

Joan Warwick launched the annual event in 2003 after her husband John died of bowel cancer, and helps organise it every year.

The 67-year-old resident of Gorringe Avenue, South Darenth, said: “Most of the people who come have lost a loved one to cancer, and it is nice to be with others who have shared your experience.”

Since 2003 Stride 4 Life has raised more than £90,000, which has been spent on tools for diagnosing and treating cancer.

Currently, the cancer fighting fund is trying to raise another £90,000 for the cryosurgery equipment, and has £50,000 so far.

To help Joan and Darent Valley’s quest to save lives, go to stride4lifecff.co.uk