Thousands of walkers took to the streets to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity this weekend.

Cancer patients, celebrities and even dogs took part in the second Marsden March, a sponsored walk from the Royal Marsden in Chelsea to the Hospital in Sutton on Sunday March 11.

About 3,000 people took part in the full 14-mile walk and 1,000 joined them in Raynes Park for the final five miles.

The crowds carried balloons and wrote individual messages on their backs which included: "I’m alive thanks to the Royal Marsden" and "I’m supporting my amazing daughter and saying thank you to the Marsden."

Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb, who was walking for the second year running, sent the walkers off.

Nathaniel Parker, the star of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries walked in memory of his mother, Jilly, who died two years ago on March 11, 2010.

He said: "She had seen off all sorts of fatal diseases and then cancer got to her and she spent her last month here.

"She was a GP; a National Health doctor all her life and never did a day private.

When his mother was admitted to the hospital he was concerned and said to her doctor that he thought she needed her own room.

However, he said: "Mum took me to the side and said- ‘Nat this is home’."

He described the staff at the Royal Marsden as "angels" and said: "The night she died - two years ago today- was probably the most extraordinary, inspirational night of my life and thanks to these people."

For more information about The Marsden March visit www.royalmarsden.org/march or email marsdenmarch@royalmarsden.org for more information.