Internationally-acclaimed Ewhurst opera singer Kathryn Harries will be donating her walking shoes next weekend to raise money for charity.

The soprano will be leading the way in the annual fundraising walk in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) on Sunday, July 20. 

Following last year's successful inaugural event, the world-famous opera star and veteran fundraiser will open the walk with inspirational songs from the bandstand at Victoria Embankment Gardens. 

She will be joined by a professional fitness instructor, Kirk Douglas, who will help the crowd warm up before they set off on the walk. 

Although it is only in its second year, the fundraising walk has already become the flagship of the charity's calendar. 

CRY is inviting families, existing and new supporters - and anyone whose lives have been touched by sudden cardiac death - to join in the 8km walk across eight of London's bridges from Victoria Embankment and Westminster to London Bridge. 

Before last year's walk, Kathryn explained why she had got involved with the event. 

She said: "I had read about fit, young people dying without warning because of an undiagnosed heart condition - and as a mother-of-two I could not begin to imagine the terrible grief of those youngsters' families.  I wanted to do my next walk for children and CRY was the obvious choice for me. 

Another of CRY's celebrity patrons is the actor and Little Britain star, David Walliams.   

He said: "You don't have to swim through shark infested waters to help make a difference. 

"CRY is inviting people from around the country to take part in this 8km walk to help raise much needed funds for the charity and more poignantly, to remember the eight young people who tragically die of sudden cardiac illnesses every week in the UK." 

CRY was launched 13 years ago to raise awareness of the conditions that can lead to sudden and unexplained cardiac death in these young people.  All of them were aged 35 years and under all of whom were apparently fit and healthy. 

the charity is now heavily involved in lobbying for greater access to screening for young people, especially those who regularly take part in sporting activities. 

CRY has recently joined forces with The Football Association and Football Foundation as part of a proposed initiative to help highlight the opportunities for young people in the community to be tested for cardiac abnormalities. 

Kathryn aims to help the charity raise £80,000 from the walk. 

Readers are invited to support this event by logging on to the fundraisers' website www.justgiving.com/cry_bridges_walk_2008

For more information about the charity, or for details on how to take part in the walk, call the CRY office on 01737 363 222 or visit www.c-r-y.org.uk/bridges_walk_2008htm  All funds raised will go towards CRY's vital work, including developing its national screening programme, medical research, raising awareness and supporting both those diagnosed and families that have been bereaved.