A campaign to raise £200,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment that will revolutionise the treatment of breast cancer has received a major boost thanks to the efforts of kind-hearted walkers.

A total of 78 staff from West Herts Hospitals Teaching NHS Trust, their families, friends and appeal supporters raised almost £30,000 after taking part in the Titty Trail on Sunday – an 11-mile trek from Watford General Hospital to St Albans City Hospital where the breast unit is based.

The money will go towards the West Herts Hospitals Charity’s appeal to buy two Savi Scout surgical guidance systems, which use radar technology to precisely target and remove cancerous tissue.

Team Think PinkTeam Think Pink (Image: Supplied)

These will be based at St Albans City Hospital, where patients from across West Herts – including Watford – are treated for the disease. To learn more about the appeal and make a donation, visit https://raisewestherts.org.uk/ appeals/beatcancer/.

The appeal is being backed by the Watford Observer, and its sister title the Herts Advertiser, and all participants in the walk worse t-shirts carrying the logos of our two newspapers.

Kelly Moore, Sharon Binden, Nathalie Dea (front centre), Shelley Biggerstaff, Jill Hughes, Andrea Hone, Caroline Thom, Kelly Dempsey, Lolly CapesKelly Moore, Sharon Binden, Nathalie Dea (front centre), Shelley Biggerstaff, Jill Hughes, Andrea Hone, Caroline Thom, Kelly Dempsey, Lolly Capes (Image: Supplied)

The first walker home was 12-year-old Amy Woods from Bushey.

She was keen to show her support for the appeal and completed the trek in three hours 52 minutes.

Fastest participant Amy WoodsFastest participant Amy Woods (Image: Supplied)

The trust’s chief nurse Kelly McGovern also took part.

“The first reason I took part was for one my staff members who asked me,” she said. “She has had breast cancer in the past and I thought it would be a great way of supporting her and doing this week.

“And we’re raising funds for the breast unit, so as the chief nurse I thought it was important to take part.”

West Herts Hospitals Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern, Deputy Chief Nurse Melanie Chambers and sister-in-law Claire Fryer West Herts Hospitals Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern, Deputy Chief Nurse Melanie Chambers and sister-in-law Claire Fryer (Image: Supplied)

St Albans MP Daisy Cooper was at the finish to congratulate participants and hand out medals.

She said: “We’ve got some fantastic services here at St Albans City Hospital and there’s a number of people across our area who have received fantastic support for breast cancer, but we all know one of the best ways to beat breast cancer is to invest in the best technology that’s going.

“We’ve got volunteers today who are raising money for this fantastic cause and I’m here to support them and say thank you for raising funds and to raise awareness that we still need to raise more to get the two [Savi Scouts] we desperately need.”

West Herts Hospitals Charity Senior Fundraising Officer Emily Theobald, Daisy Cooper MP, West Herts Hospitals non-executive director Heather Moulder West Herts Hospitals Charity Senior Fundraising Officer Emily Theobald, Daisy Cooper MP, West Herts Hospitals non-executive director Heather Moulder (Image: Supplied)

The CEO of West Herts Hospitals Charity Alison Rosen had both personal and professional reasons for wanting to be involved.

She said: "I am so proud of everyone who helped and walked at the Titty Trail.

“Funds raised will help women throughout West Herts with breast cancer. The Savi Scout equipment we’re fundraising for will enhance surgical precision and reduce recurrence of this awful disease.

“Like many of our walkers, I was motivated to complete the 11 miles in memory of a loved one touched by breast cancer. I hope my mother would be proud to see my daughter and me walking in her memory."

Alison Rosen, CEO of West Herts Hospitals CharityAlison Rosen, CEO of West Herts Hospitals Charity (Image: Supplied)

The charity wishes to thank the following for their support with the trail: Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (Abbey Trail route and snack stop/stall at community centre); Little Munden Equestrian Centre (rest stop); Collie Print (route maps and signs); F.I.T-shirts (t-shirts); Watford Bar & Coffee House (rest stop) and part of Watford Rugby Club; Beefeater, Moor Mill Lane Restaurant (rest stop); Morrisons, St Albans (snacks).

More great pictures from the Titty Trail

Melita Leavens, Maria Bunce, Sarah Melling, Immy Melling, Eve Melling and Linda Christian from Team Think Pink with Ripley the dogMelita Leavens, Maria Bunce, Sarah Melling, Immy Melling, Eve Melling and Linda Christian from Team Think Pink with Ripley the dog (Image: Supplied)

Jill Hughes and West Herts Hospitals Carers Lead, Andrea Hone (Andrea is the winner of the Royal College of Nursing’s Commitment to Carers award) Jill Hughes and West Herts Hospitals Carers Lead, Andrea Hone (Andrea is the winner of the Royal College of Nursing’s Commitment to Carers award) (Image: Supplied)

Consultant breast surgeon Mr Chong and Team Think PinkConsultant breast surgeon Mr Chong and Team Think Pink (Image: Supplied)

Daisy Cooper MP and participant Anita Adams Daisy Cooper MP and participant Anita Adams (Image: Supplied)

Marylin Sugden, Niamh Whitham, Suzanne Turnball, Ella Hartal, Ilkay Yilmaz, Melissa Hartal, Camilo Pinto, Lusia MannMarylin Sugden, Niamh Whitham, Suzanne Turnball, Ella Hartal, Ilkay Yilmaz, Melissa Hartal, Camilo Pinto, Lusia Mann (Image: Supplied)

Sarah Evans, Outpatients nurse Alison Linney, Gemma El-Roubi, Outpatients nurse Rebecca Horrod  - Team Think PinkSarah Evans, Outpatients nurse Alison Linney, Gemma El-Roubi, Outpatients nurse Rebecca Horrod  - Team Think Pink (Image: Supplied)

Lolly Capes with Jill Hughes and Kelly MooreLolly Capes with Jill Hughes and Kelly Moore (Image: Supplied)

West Herts Staff Shelley Biggerstaff and Caroline ThomWest Herts Staff Shelley Biggerstaff and Caroline Thom (Image: Supplied)

The t-shirts all Titty Trail participants woreThe t-shirts all Titty Trail participants wore (Image: Supplied)

Simon Mead and West Herts lead nurse for patient experience, Amanda Budd (husband and wife)Simon Mead and West Herts lead nurse for patient experience, Amanda Budd (husband and wife) (Image: Supplied) Participants Mima and Chloe MooreParticipants Mima and Chloe Moore (Image: Supplied)

Event supporters Lacey-Mai (age 13) and Darryl Harber help to register participants and hand out t-shirtsEvent supporters Lacey-Mai (age 13) and Darryl Harber help to register participants and hand out t-shirts (Image: Supplied)

Jill Hughes with Daisy Cooper MPJill Hughes with Daisy Cooper MP (Image: Supplied)

Participants Kelly Moore and Sharon BindenParticipants Kelly Moore and Sharon Binden (Image: Supplied)

West Herts Hospitals consultant breast surgeon Mr Chong West Herts Hospitals consultant breast surgeon Mr Chong (Image: Supplied)