COMMONWEALTH athlete Kerry Gillibrand will swap her running trainers for hiking boots to join in the walk for a Magic Eye scanner.

More than 1,000 people have pledged their support to six sponsored 10-mile walks mapped out for a Sunday-hike around East Lancashire. And with two weeks to go, the Magic Eye event -- set to be one of the biggest fundraisers of the year -- now has the support of one of East Lancashire's favourite sporting celebrities.

The 25-year-old Baxenden athlete, who made it to the final of this year's 1,500m event in Manchester, is more familiar with running the 1,500m. But on October 13 she is backing the Magic Eye scanner appeal by walking the 10-mile circuit around Hyndburn.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph Appeal hopes to raise £200,000 for an endoscopic ultrasound scanner. The state-of-the-art equipment will help cancer sufferers from across the county with the quicker diagnosis of stomach and oesophagus cancer.

"Anything which helps people and is a good cause is worth supporting. I have lost two grandfathers to cancer so I know what its like" she said. "But it really can happen to anyone which is why we need this equipment as soon as possible."

The appeal total currently stands at £94,000.

Kerry now has her eye on the world indoor athletics and her fitness programme will certainly make her one of the stronger walkers in Hyndburn!

She runs up to 75 miles a week and is training with Sale harriers. "But it is all about enjoyment!" said Kerry.

"I would also say the same thing to youngsters coming into sport -- just try lots of things and you never know what you will be good at."

Ian Woolley, the walk co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to have Kerry on board and we look forward to everyone having loads of fun on the day!"

Kerry will be snipping the ribbon at the start of the Hyndburn circuit at Uno car park in Whitebirk Retail Park at 9am.

The Hyndburn circuit then takes in Dunkenhalgh Way, Hyndburn bridge and Rishton. To register on any of the walks, call the hotline on 01254 293634.