STAFF from a Basingstoke solicitors are stepping out to raise money for an important local cause.

Phillips Solicitors, in London Street, are supporting Ark Day on 21 June by walking a kilometre around War Memorial Park.

The team will unite to raise money as part of the 24-hour fundraising drive which is giving everyone in the borough the chance to make a big difference to the charity campaign, helping to raise £5million to fund a much-needed NHS cancer treatment centre at Basingstoke hospital.

Staff at Phillips, who previously supported Ark Cancer Centre as their charity of the year, will pay £3 each to take part in the walk, or £5 to opt out of doing it.

Jack Gardener, director of the firm, said: “We sponsor the Basingstoke Half-Marathon so we thought we should get everyone to do something fit and healthy and with everyone together.”

There are around 50 people in the office and it is hoped that by all walking together around the park they will also help raise awareness on Ark Day for the charity.

Jack said: “Hopefully it will be a nice day and we can all go together and have a chat and raise some money for an important charity. Ark used to be our charity which we supported and it’s a really great thing they are doing and helping raise money to provide a cancer centre for Basingstoke is amazing.”

Various members of staff at the solicitors have completed challenges in support of Ark including taking part in the Ark to Arc Challenge, cycling from the Ark Conference Centre in Basingstoke to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Their efforts helped raise more than £7,000 in total for the charity.

Jack said: “We have been involved from the beginning. Ark Day itself is a brilliant idea to bring the whole town together and if everyone donates £1 then £200,000 could be raised. It will make a huge difference.”