A FROME resident is preparing to hike along the Jurassic Coast to raise funds for a cancer charity in memory of her friend who had cancer for 17 years.
Local woman, Shaz Barton, will be hiking the iconic and ancient path in July, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support to honour her friend Kaye Herbert.
The challenge is 95 miles but due to the terrain of the path and some detours required due to erosion, Shaz says the hike will be 150 miles; she is aiming to walk between 15 and 20 miles a day and is hoping to complete the challenge in five days, with a seven-day buffer.
“I will be starting in Devon and finishing just near Bournemouth,” says Shaz. “The height in some places is 191 metres and the trail has very few flat points, it’s very up and down and there are lots of steps in places. Just carrying the extra weight of my equipment makes it a challenge in itself!”
A serious motorbike accident a few years ago left Shaz with constant pain in one of her legs, making it difficult for her to walk.
“To prepare, I have been doing a lot of walking and gym sessions, as well studying the path and preparing myself for all weathers and tiredness. I have been exploring ways of how to keep my camping equipment weight to a minimum; finding the right tent is also a challenge and studying the best food that is the lightest, but gives me the most energy.
“I have heard the golden cap is the worst bit of the trail and it’s about mentally preparing myself well as physically. If there are any challenges, I will push myself to get through it. I have never quit any challenge; I always get back up and this is for charity, which always helps mentally as there is someone going through something a lot worse than I will be along that trail, although this will be hard for me.
“My friend Kaye had cancer for 17 years, we grew up together and she also raised a lot of money for charity no matter how poorly she felt. She would probably call me crazy, but she would tell me to go for it and have words of wisdom.”
Aiming to raise £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, Shaz has been involved in fundraising challenges for charity before and helping others, including paying for an elderly lady’s shopping.
“I also did a 10-mile swim in the sea for charity and also donated to a school by buying 150 Easter eggs and a huge bunny, when a sponsor had pulled out of the school Easter egg hunt last-minute.
“I worked for two years volunteering to help people affected by the Somerset floods in Burrowbridge and Langport, helping people back into their homes. Last year, I did the cold-water dip for 30 days for Cancer Research, I also did a car wash for Williow Wood Hospice in Manchester and other things, but walking this coast path is the biggest challenge I have ever done.”
To sponsor Shaz, visit https://tributefunds.macmillan.org.uk/Event/South-coast-hike-?fbclid=IwAR3IKx2P1APZMsuD592IRGxnKMaHPKfKaghbPYVmsgmjFuVg2GUYTWamM_
