The Penny drops over the finish line after 11,000-mile coastal challenge
A charity walker who attracted local support when she travelled through Caithness last year has now completed her 11,000-mile coastal walk around the UK and Ireland.
Alzheimer’s Research UK champion Karen Penny (56) completed her journey on World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21) in the Shetland Islands and has currently raised £110,672 for the charity.
"It’s the end of a very long journey," said Karen as she reached her final destination. "Two-and-a-half years, ten-and-a-half thousand miles, £107,000 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
"I never thought I would feel like this at the end. It’s so wonderful being here with my son George and my husband Mark, and I just want to thank each and every one of you for your amazing support all the way round Britain.
"All the way around Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, all of the islands. I cannot thank you enough for getting me here in one piece today. Thank you so much everybody. I’m going to go and celebrate now.”
Karen had been travelling since January 2019 on foot from her home in the Gower, South Wales around the entire coastline of the UK and Ireland, only returning home when forced to by the Covid-19 pandemic. She had reached the small island of Muckle Flugga in the Shetlands (one of 110 islands that she has walked around as part of her journey), where she planted a flag before returning to her South Wales home for lockdown.
Inspired to support the UK’s leading dementia charity after both of her in-laws were affected by different forms of dementia, Karen has raised money to fund vital research. Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are so grateful to Karen for the amazing fundraising and awareness-raising that she has done, with such commitment, since the beginning of 2019.
“Research has the power to make breakthroughs possible and Alzheimer’s Research UK is at the forefront of these efforts. We rely on public donations to fund our crucial research and it’s thanks to the commitment of people like Karen that we are able to increase the profile of dementia research and continue our important work.”
Karen had travelled through Caithness last year and attracted numerous local supporters to walk part of the way with her.
To sponsor Karen, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson
For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org
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Long-distance charity walker Karen Penny ends 11,000 mile coastal challenge in Scotland
The Penny rolls through Caithness
