In association with Woman and Home magazine FemaleFirst are asking our readers to think about signing up for "the Ribbon Walks” to raise money for the fabulous charity Breast Cancer Care.

There’s still plenty of time to put your name down for the walks, which are taking place this June. There are new routes in the stunning surroundings of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and the Peak District and both have a 10 and 20 miles option.

Last year, the magazine managed to raise more than £900,000 and its dedicated team are now determined to go even further to break their record and collect even more this year.

Woman and Home’s editor Sue James has participated in the walks for the last two years and will be appearing alongside a number of other celebrity walkers including Linda Barker, Denise Lewis, Nicki Waterman and Lucy Kite.

Sue took some time out this week to explain to us why fundraising with this fun event is so special and what training she’s been doing in preparation for it.

“The walks are about coming together and really showing support, not only for charity but for all women that have been through the breast cancer journey and their families. It’s actually about feeling that you’re doing things – you’re coming together and raising awareness, raising money through fundraising and giving back with a group of like-minded ladies. You’re also getting fit and having the most fantastic day at the same time. It’s all those things really that make it so important and really special to see – a sea of women wearing pink t-shirts meandering around the country side.”

“I’ve roped in several of my girlfriends and my husband says he’ll walk with me this year around Blenheim Palace in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. I’ve got various friends every time I see them who ask, “what are you doing” when we’re walking to the pub. Every week we do a wonderful walk and then end up having a cappuccino or two. You do have to train but it’s good to do a couple of walks and I would really encourage people to prepare beforehand. This is not a race though, this is nothing about coming in first, it’s about achieving something for yourself.”

“There are people that walk on their own and meet other people; there are those with partners, and with lots of generations of families and friends. It’s a real wealth of all different people – and it goes right across the ages from 20s to 60s. Don’t be afraid if you’ve never done it before, because you’re so supported on it – everybody carries you along with them.”

Ms James also divulged exactly where the donation money raised goes to and why it really does make such a difference.

“The money helps to fund the Breast Cancer Care call centre and that’s vital really because then people can come over 24 hours and talk to somebody. It funds their nurses, special leafleting and then some of the very personal intimate problems that nobody knows who to discuss with – like how to cope if you lose your hair. Through Breast Cancer Care you’ve really got somebody to talk to.”

“There are people that do walk with a balloon saying “I am going to beat this” and they’re walking with breast cancer – they’re going through that treatment period. Clearly they’re able to walk and they’re fine but what determination. And I think that’s what you feel – the atmosphere. You’re almost lifted by that determined atmosphere on that walk. I mean one woman every 15 minutes in this country is affected by breast cancer. So that’s a huge amount of women and a huge amount of families. Therefore we all have those stories and we all have that solidarity and feeling of wanting to help and pull together which is really important. That’s what you get, and then you have the funny stories like the couple of people who walk with their dogs and such. It’s a real girls day out. Everybody cheers the last people in. That last mile coming in never fails to move you – you think, “yes I’ve done it.” We have quite a party at the end.”

“The after effect of the walk once you’ve done it isn’t aches and pains. It’s just so uplifting. You feel so motivated and exhilarated – it’s just worth spending the time doing it.”

“It’s a real sort of really nice sort of carnival English day out – there’s a marquee, there’s music, there’s lots of good food and everybody enjoys themselves. Come and have fun with us.”

For more information about the walks please visit Ribbon Walk