The organiser of one of the KM Group’s first charity walks staged nearly two decades ago has put his seal of approval on the anniversary event taking place this Sunday.

More than 400 participants are expected to put their best feet forward for charity at the 20 anniversary walk and celebrations. Forty good causes will benefit including Porchlight and Kent Search and Rescue. There is still time to book online using the discount code CHARITY15 or walkers can turn up on the day.

Peter Andrews visited the offices of the KM Charity Team, who are organising the landmark event, to show his support for the walk. Mr Andrews was project manager for an early KM Charity Walk which was a joint venture between the KM Group and Shepherd Neame and staged on Bank Holiday Monday May, 6, 1996.

Five hundred and sixty walkers took part and raised £7,674 for the British Olympic Appeal, supporting the county’s sportsmen and women in their bid for Olympic glory in Atlanta that year. The 13-mile walk started at the Dog and Bear pub in Lenham Village Square, Maidstone and followed the North Downs Way finishing at The New Flying Horse at Wye.

Mr Andrews said: “We had the town crier in Lenham in full regalia ringing his bell and introducing Olympic walker Don Thompson MBE who won gold at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

“He set off first and had walked there and back before a lot of people finished!”

The charity walk became an annual event and all of the walks combined have raised a grand total of £843,000 for good causes.

Participants on Sunday will follow one of two circular routes - a five-mile or a 10-mile version - starting from Grade II listed Georgian mansion Mote House, Maidstone.

To fit in with the anniversary theme walkers are encouraged to wear yellow or gold clothing and prizes will be awarded for the best outfits.

Each walker will receive a goody bag and souvenir medal at the finish line. The walk will conclude with a garden party in the grounds of Mote House with barbeque, drinks and a string quartet.

Event organiser Sophie Wallace of the KM Charity Team said: “Participants will enjoy a lovely venue, food, drink, and live music to set the mood following a fantastic walk through beautiful countryside.

“We’ve made this event extra special and urge charity fundraisers, leisure walkers and keen ramblers alike to join our celebrations and help make this year one to remember.”

Organisations supporting the walk include Specsavers, Cotswold Outdoor Maidstone and Maidstone Ramblers.

To book, visit www.kmcharitywalk.co.uk and use the code CHARITY15 for a discount on the price. Children under 16 go free when booking online. Or turn up on the day and pay £15 per adult, £2 per child or £30 for a family ticket of two adults and up to two children.

Check in for the 10-mile walk is 10am and 11am for the five-mile route.