THE co-founder of a South Oxfordshire accountancy firm has teamed up with Oxfordshire Fitness and 28 Nordic walkers to raise nearly £500 for Parkinson’s UK.

Lesley Carson, 54, completed a nine mile circular trek up Faringdon Folly, from Buckland Village Hall.

Mrs Carson, who is the co-founder of Inca - based at Lyford, near Wantage - took part in the walk to coincide with the announcement of her firm’s chosen charities for 2018/2019.

The charities, nominated by employees, are The Dash Charity, Team Mikayla, Riding for the Disabled Abingdon and Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary.

Inca donates five per cent of pre-tax profits annually (one per cent to each of the nominated charities and one per cent for additional causes) and is heading towards a record-breaking year.

They are hoping to donate a combined total of more than £12,000.

Mrs Carson, from Southmoor, said: “The Nordic walk was great fun. It is a very social activity and we were all thrilled to put our poles to the test to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.

"I’m also delighted with the Inca team’s Oxfordshire and Berkshire charities and look forward to seeing them benefit from Inca’s success at the end of the year.”

Parkinson’s UK is aiming to promote better care, treatments and quality of life to ensure nobody has to face Parkinson’s alone.

Since 2012, Inca has donated over £50,000 to local charities. It is aiming donate a further £50,000 over the next five years.

The firm is also aiming to help 700 children in Kenya fight Malaria, through mosquito nets.