CHARITY leaders are aiming to double the number of entrants to a new Glasgow sponsored walk that is raising cash for a condition affecting hundreds more patients each year.

Kidney Research UK will stage its second Bridges Walk on September 21, to help fund research into kidney disease.

More than 400 people took part in the first seven-mile walk last year, back and forth across the city's bridges, raising around £26,000 for the charity.

The number of patients with kidney failure in the UK is rising by 4% every year.

Almost 700 people in Glasgow and the surrounding areas are either on dialysis or are receiving follow-on care after having a kidney transplant.

The main causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes.

As it launched its Go Purple campaign today, to coincide with World Kidney Day, the charity aims to highlight the growing threat of kidney disease.

Sandra Currie, Chief Executive of Kidney Research UK, said: "I took part in our very first Glasgow Bridges Walk last year and it was a wonderful.

"We're thrilled to have the support of the Evening Times, and in turn we're pleased to support their Active 2014 campaign.

"People can take small steps to improve their health, and walking is a great way to do this.

"The walk is seven miles, and you can go at your own pace. It's also a great way to get the whole family involved in fitness."

The charity is encouraging fundraisers to, 'Go Purple' this month to help raise awareness of kidney disease.

More than three million people across the UK are at risk of the disease.

As part of the Go Purple campaign, researchers are encouraging everyone, from office workers to schoolchildren, to organise purple-themed events.

In Scotland in 2012, 101 patients per million population either started dialysis or received a kidney transplant after their kidneys failed.

Kidney Research UK is supporting the Evening Times' campaign for an opt-out transplant system in Scotland, to help more people benefit from organ transplants.

Liz McGuiness, Kidney Research UK's Fundraising Manager for Scotland, said: "People in Glasgow can help make a real difference to the lives of those with kidney disease by getting behind our 'Go Purple' campaign this March.

"Anyone can take part, and your support will go a long way to making people more aware of the dangers.

"Kidney disease is a truly devastating illness.

"The money raised will allow us to continue trying to find better treatments and a cure for kidney disease."

Cash raised through this year's Bridges Walk will help fund research projects in Glasgow.

Dr Laura Denby, from the University of Glasgow, is looking at molecules, called microRNAs, in the kidney.

These molecules are involved in ensuring the kidneys work normally by controlling the levels of proteins in the body.

In patients with kidney disease, the microRNAs behave differently.

Dr Denby said: "Kidney disease currently doesn't have a cure - the only treatments are dialysis, a transplant or conservative care.

"But this research has the potential to lead to the development of new treatments for the disease, so I'm very excited to be working on this novel area of research."

Laura's project is one of four being funded by the charity at the University of Glasgow, and is due to finish in 2015.

This year's Glasgow Bridges Walk takes place on Sunday September 21 from 10am. It costs £10 for adults and £4 for children, and there is no minimum sponsorship fee.

To register, visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/get-involved/events/glasgow-bridges-walk

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk