Selby woman walking around entire UK coastline for marine charities

A Selby woman is walking solo around the entire UK coastline, having walked 2,657.17 miles in 149 days so far. Blue Wilson, 49, has reached as far south as Worth Matravers on the Dorset coast and as far north as Blandy on The Kyle of Tongue at the very top of Scotland (in a continual line).

She is taking on this challenge in stages due to other commitments and sometimes alternates between heading north from the last most northerly point reached and heading south from the last most southerly point reached. Blue is fundraising for Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Changers, two marine conservation charities. So far, she's raised £3,906, split between the two.

During her treks, she has become increasingly aware of the perils endangering the UK's oceans, marine life, coastal communities and climate. Blue said she's seen first-hand some of the great work her chosen charities have completed and wishes to help by contributing as much as possible to their future projects.

Blue's challenge is self-funded, including all travel to and from the start and finish points, accommodation, sustenance and kit. She uses her weekends and annual leave off work to complete each stage. Andrew is her support driver and drops her off at the starting points each morning and then picks her up wherever she finishes.

In February, she completed another eight days, walking 158.4 more miles and finishing the Hampshire coastline and commencing the South West Coast Path on the Dorset coast. Blue set off from where she last got to at Bursledon and reached Worth Matravers before heading back home to work.

Her next stint will be from April 28, walking for another seven days and heading west along the top of Scotland from Blandy to Cape Wrath and then dropping down to walk south along the west coast to Scourie and, hopefully, take in Handa Island. After this, she will be spending two weeks in August walking around the Orkney Islands with help from half price travel - thanks to sponsorship from NorthLink Ferries.

Every year, Blue hopes to complete as big a section as possible until successfully completing the entire UK coastline in an estimated five to ten years. She is walking as many of the islands as possible and Northern Ireland. She crosses all rivers and estuaries via the nearest bridge or path so often, it's a long walk inland.

Blue said she'll only use a boat to get to an island but only if it's not accessible by bridge or causeway. She walks in all weathers throughout the year and averages 20 miles per day. She said she's seen and experienced some 'incredible things' so far and made some 'amazing new connections' with fellow coast walkers, who are all 'doing it in their own way' and for their own reasons or fundraising.

She said: "The thing I have found most heartwarming is the support and utter kindness and generosity of friends, family and complete strangers (many of whom will see my fundraising top that I wear whilst walking and stop me to ask about my challenge and often donate money, too, which I always add to my JustGiving total).

"I want to set a fundraising target of £4,000 per year per chosen charity towards my final grand total aim of £20,000 for each by the end of the full challenge. People can donate via my JustGiving page."

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Location: Selby in North Yorkshire