A DOCTOR is putting on her walking boots to trek 1,400 miles for charity.
Rachel Angus, a retired geriatric consultant, is taking on the gruelling Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice.
The 59-year-old will walk at least 14 miles a day navigating some tough terrain to complete her three-and-a-half month solo adventure.
She said: “I’m slightly daunted but very much looking forward to it. I will be on my own but a few family and friends have promised to join me on parts of the walk to help spur me on.
“I think the toughest challenge will be day one. I’ve also got to complete a stretch of the Cornish coast at the beginning and will be doing the Pennine Way.
“It’s quite a strenuous walk and will definitely be a test of my fitness levels!”
Rachel’s walk will combine tough challenges like climbing Ben Nevis with more leisurely trips through National Trust gardens.
She said: “It should be a very interesting walk with lots of different experiences. I will have some friends walking with me who I’ve have not seen for many years so as well as being a voyage to raise money it will be a voyage through my life.”
Rachel, of Thornhill, is well prepared for her challenge. A few years ago she battled sweltering temperatures when she spent five weeks walking 500 miles across northern Spain.
She is also taking part in several training walks each week to prepare for her journey, which begins on March 29.
Rachel spent 13 years working as a consultant at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital before more recently working with the General Medical Council in London.
She was involved with the Dalton-based Kirkwood Hospice since its development and felt strongly about supporting it through her trek.
Rachel said: “There’s a lot of adverse talk at the moment about end of life issues and the general public don’t seem to be very confident about how patients are being looked after.
“However places like hospices, and Kirkwood in particular, provide excellent end of life care.”
She can be sponsored at her Just Giving website www.justgiving.com/rachelangus2.
For progress updates on Rachel’s walk visit www.twitter.com/rachelend2end
