FAMILIES and friends walked through some of York's most historic sites to raise thousands of pounds for loved-ones diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Brain Tumour Charity's Twilight Walk saw people of all ages take on a 10km route through York Minster, Clifford's Tower and The Shambles to improve awareness of the devastating disease.

Among those taking part was Alison Horsley and her partner Nigel Murfitt, her sister Karen Reed, niece Katy Reed and Mr Murfitt's six-year-old son Robbie Mason-Murfitt.

They all decided to take on the challenge after Miss Horsley's dad John was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July.

The grandfather-of-two was operated at Hull Royal Infirmary in August and is now undergoing further treatment to rid him of the disease.

Miss Horsley, 37, said: "It was a brilliant day.

"I was quite emotional when I set off and had to put my sunglasses on because I could feel the tears in my eyes. It was hard seeing everyone there and thinking about the reasons we were doing this."

The group has almost raised £550 for the charity and Miss Horsely is keen to keep going.

She added: "We wanted to do this to make people aware of the symptoms.

"Both my grandad and great auntie had a brain tumour."

Also walking was Lidl customer services assistant Casey Scourfield, 25, from Pickering, who took part in memory of her god-daughter Paige, who died from a grade three glioma brain tumour in 2012. 

Paige was first diagnosed when she was just three-years-old and died six months later. 

Laura Hare, 22, was also there in memory of her dad, Alistair, who died from a brain tumour two years ago aged 45. 

Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity’s head of fundraising, said: “The Twilight Walk helps to show people affected by brain tumours that they are not alone.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years."

To donate money to Alison Horsley's cause go to www.justgiving.com/alison-horsley1hope