Never mind Hands, Knees And Boomps-a-daisy - make that Hips, knees and, well, perhaps on reflection forget the boomps-a-daisy bit.

'Hips, knees and don't be lazy' is the message being sent out by the Sprint Fund, a charity aimed at those who have benefited from a hip replacement or other major restorative bone or joint surgery, asking them to support a one-mile charity stroll along Brighton seafront and raise as much sponsorship as they can manage.

Why should there be a charity to raise funds for such a cause, you may well ask.

Surgery is not a skill which stands still and there are always new techniques on the horizon which will benefit those of you who have yet to face such drastic measures to restore your quality of life as arthritis, sports injuries and other traumas take their toll.

The Great Hip and Knee Walk in Brighton has raised many thousands of pounds since it started over ten years ago and all the money raised funds study courses for which there is no provision under the NHS.

Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, plaster technicians and operating theatre technicians are some of the folk who have been able to enhance and update their skills thanks to grants from this organisation.

The grants are applied to personnel working at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, so it is very much a local charity.

This organisation was brought to my notice by the founder and well-known orthopaedic surgeon Barry Fearn FRCS, who told me about the 'fun saunter' which will take place on Sunday, October 8, at 1.30pm.

He ignored my wincing as he described the mile walk which it is hoped as many people as possible with hip and knee replacements will complete.

The walk starts at the Beach Deck on the Lower Promenade opposite the Grand Hotel, goes as far as the Angel and then turns back. Morrismen will be there to cheer participants on their way and, rather alarmingly, I am told that doctors, nurses and physiotherapists will be available along the route!

The aim and objectives are serious but it sounds as though it will be a fun afternoon. Interestingly enough, it will also celebrate the start of The Bone And Joint Decade, which is sponsored by the United Nations to improve the quality of life for those suffering with orthopaedic problems, many of whom will be in the Third Age group.

It would be good to see Sussex in the vanguard of such excellent work.

The organisers of the Sprint are anxious to emphasise that no one has to do the full one-mile walk. You can take it at your own speed and drop out when you have had enough. Family and friends are invited, there will be entertainment, a raffle and refreshments along the way.

I am, of course, a prime candidate for this event, having benefited from the skill of a local surgeon and his team. I have a nasty, sneaky feeling that I was expected to sign up for the walk but unfortunately I am already committed on that day, but there is an opportunity to make a donation if you would rather pay than walk. I can hear the knock at my door already.

For more details and for entry forms call 01273 683180 or write to 40 Wilbury Road, Hove, BN3 3JP.