A determined mum has admitted having “unfinished business” after signing up for a gruelling 32-mile walk along the Norfolk coast. Lisa Ayton is taking part in the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Pier 2 Pier fundraiser on 10th June.
It will be the second year in a row she has laced up her walking shoes, although she just missed out on completing the full distance last time around after being agonisingly late arriving at the third pit stop.
In total, she walked nearly 25 of the 32 miles but had to get a lift to the final checkpoint because she was not on track to finish within the allotted 12 hours.
Lisa plans to make amends this time around and has a special reason for supporting EACH, as daughter Abbie receives care at the charity’s Milton hospice.
The 12-year-old has a rare gene mutation which has created a number of other health complications, including epilepsy and hypertonia.
She is prone to chest infections and fed via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a procedure in which a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach.
Abbie has been receiving care since she was a year old. To read more about her, click here.
“The hospice is such a big part of our lives,” said Lisa, who lives in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.
“The care team have helped us so much and that’s why I signed up for the walk, as a way of showing my appreciation and giving something back. It’s a long way and I’m a bit nervous, but I’m going to be better prepared this time and have started doing some training walks.
“I’ve got unfinished business and feel very determined, after what happened last year. I just had to go back. I was gutted not to complete the whole distance, especially as we were only a few minutes late arriving at the checkpoint.
“It meant we needed a lift but I was still able to walk the final three and a half miles and cross the finish line. Overall, it was a great experience and the good thing is I know what to expect this time around.
“I’m going to train even harder and be better prepared.”
Lisa, 37, will be joined in Norfolk by friends Jessica Deakin and Shannia Hodge. Her brother-in-law and his dad are also due to join the team.
To sponsor them, head here.
EACH’s Pier 2 Pier walk is a 32-mile challenge from Cromer to Great Yarmouth, following a fully-marked route along the popular Norfolk Coastal Path.
The cost is £60 – £70 including a morning coach journey from Yarmouth to Cromer, so cars can be left near the finish – and sign-up closes on 14th May.
Entry includes lunch and hot food at the finish and regular refuelling stops with snacks and drinks. Walkers, who are asked to commit to raising £250, will also receive a finishers’ medal and an EACH technical T-shirt.
For more details, head here.
