Fundraiser Penny Langborne has successfully completed an ‘utterly gruelling’ 74.6-mile, 161,420 step walk around the Isle of Wight in aid of Mountbatten.
Penny decided to take on the challenge in memory of her late father Dr John Smith, 1 of St Mary’s top consultants and Head of Clinical Pathology for many years. Dr Smith suffered from dementia, and Mountbatten Hospice cared for him at home during his final days.
Penny was due to take part in the 62-mile Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge earlier this year, but on the day the Challenge was due to begin she had to abandon the attempt because of her mother’s ill health.
Now, the determined fundraiser is back home recovering after successfully completing the walk around the Isle of Wight’s coastal path, raising almost £2,000 in the process.
She set off from Shanklin at 11:00 on Friday morning and was joined on the route by various friends and family wanting to show their support. Her husband, John, joined her through the night and completed some 27 miles himself.
Arriving back at The Salix Beach Cafe in Shanklin on Saturday afternoon, Penny was greeted by the sound of air horns, a band and a cheering crowd as she crossed the line at 13:30. She was escorted from Sandown by a group of Mountbatten staff who were waving flags and cheering her along, alongside Penny’s children.
Speaking about her walk, Penny has simply said:
“It nearly broke me mentally and physically and gave me some of the worse blisters I think I’ve ever seen, but I’m extremely proud of my achievement.
“I’d like to thank everyone that made it easier. Those who took the effort of walking with me, those sending messages, those donating – it all means so much! For the wonderful team at Mountbatten for surprising me in Sandown and walking the last leg for that final push and finally The Salix Cafe for my wonderful finishing line”.
Anyone wishing to donate to Penny Langborne’s cause may do so on her JustGiving page.
What a lovely thing to have achieved, her father would be so proud of her.
I hope more give to this wonderful cause as even if you are lucky enough to have never needed this charities help, someone someday you care for likely will, and you will be so gland they are there for you.