The High Sheriff of Cambridge will set off from Wisbech and walk more than 70 miles in six days to raise funds for a cancer charity.

Cambs Times: Linda Fairbrother, High Sheriff of Cambridge, will be walking over 70 miles in 6 days.Linda Fairbrother, High Sheriff of Cambridge, will be walking over 70 miles in 6 days. (Image: Archant)

Wearing a hat with white ostrich feathers and carrying her ceremonial sword, Linda Fairbrother will kick off her trek on July 11 in Wisbech and will pass through March, Whittlesey, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Ely, and other towns and villages on her way to Cambridge.

Each day’s walk will be between 10 and 13 miles, with visits to voluntary organisations and businesses en route.

The High Sheriff will be accompanied by Macmillan Cancer Support volunteers, dignitaries, officials, friends and family.

There will also be refreshments and local fund-raising events for Macmillan and the High Sheriff Award Scheme, which rewards young people making a difference in their community.

Major donors will be invited to a tea party in one of the old Cambridge colleges after the walk.

The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year.

The origins of the office date back to Saxon times, when the Shire Reeve was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the crown.

In recent years High Sheriffs have been active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people.

Businesses and local people are invited to contact Mrs Fairbrother if they would like to be involved at cambridgeshire@highsheriff.org.uk.

Donations can be sent to www.justgiving.com/highsheriff or sent by cheque made out to High Sheriff Awards, c/o Cambridge Community Foundation, Q1 The Quorum, Cambridge CB5 8RE.

All donations will be shared between Macmillan Cancer Support and the High Sheriff Awards,

Route of the walk

July 11: River Nene - Wisbech - March

July 12: Thorney - Whittlesey - Peterborough

July 14: Sawtry - Alconbury - Stukeleys - Huntingdon

July 15: Hartford - St Ives - Over - Earith

July 16: Littleport - Ely - Little Thetford - Stretham

July 17: Histon - Waterbeach - Cambridge