Liz takes on Lands End to John O Groats challenge to raise cash for Douglas Macmillan
'My daily walk has really helped to keep me positive throughout this winter’s lockdown'
Pictured above is Liz taking in the one of the fabulous views on one of her walks
A Leek teacher is walking the length of the UK to raise funds for a good cause.
Liz Salmon, from Leek, Staffordshire, has taken on the challenge to walk 874 miles - the distance between Lands End and John O Groats, within one year.
She is walking the 874 miles to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan hospice in memory of a friend's husband who was supported by the charity before passing away.
Liz said: “At 10pm on New Year’s Eve last year, I signed up, slightly on the spur of the moment, to the End To End Land’s End to John O Groats (LEJOG) challenge, having been inspired by a friend who had already started the challenge in 2020.
“The aim is to virtually walk or run the length of the UK, 874 miles, in 12 months or less.
"I decided to walk this challenge with the aim of raising money.
"A good friend of mine chose the charity for me - our local adult hospice, the Douglas Macmillan - as her husband, who has very sadly recently passed away, was receiving in-home care from this fantastic charity."
Liz has set herself the challange of completeting the distannce by the end of 2021.
She will walk to and from work everyday while taking on longer walks at the weekends.
She has also challenged herself to walk an extra mile every day.
"On January 1st, I set off early morning and ended up walking eight miles, all locally, which was the longest walk I’d done in years," he said.
“By the end of January I’d walked 100 miles so I brought my completion date target forward to the end of September, which also coincides with my birthday.
"At the time in mid-March, I have walked just over 300 miles and most importantly have raised almost £1300 for Dougie Mac.
“Every day I log my virtual miles on the End To End map which allows me to see where I have walked to - at the moment I’m in familiar territory, on the M6, just north of Stafford
"I am loving this challenge," she said. "I really enjoy my walk to and from work every day, I enjoy listening to Podcasts and I enjoy the bit of me time that it gives me.
“My daily walk has really helped to keep me positive throughout this winter’s lockdown and I shall definitely carry on with my daily walks after this challenge is complete.
"I am already planning my next walking challenge.
"I’d like to thank Diane who runs a local business called Ladies Love Walking who has been my (socially distanced) walking guide most weekends this year - she is helping me to discover the beautiful area in which we are so lucky to live.”
If anyone would like to help Liz to achieve her ultimate fundraising aim of £2,000, click here.
