There’s nothing unusual about going home for Christmas.

Millions of people do it every year.

But there can be precious few who walk more than 190 miles in six days for a taste of mum’s festive lunch.

However, that’s just what Natalie Sykes did - combining a homecoming with a fundraising trek for a military charity.

Along with lifelong friend Laura Bartle, 24-year-old Natalie walked from where she now lives in Surrey back home to Holmfirth. And by the time the pair reached Kirklees, they had already smashed a £1,000 target for Walking with the Wounded.

“I checked the website and we had more than £3,000,” said Natalie as she, Laura and a small party trudged the last few yards into Holmfirth.

Friends and family were waiting with a ‘welcome home’ banner, balloons and much-needed refreshments.

Natalie and Laura set off from Surrey on December 18, following a 193-mile route through English towns and staying in bed and breakfasts along the way.

Natalie saw the trek as a measure of her commitment to a good cause.

The charity has been running a campaign ‘Walk Home for Christmas’, encouraging people to leave their cars at home, forget public transport and just walk to help raise awareness for service veterans who don’t have homes to walk to.

“I decided I would walk to my family home in Holmfirth,” said Natalie, a software tester for an oil and gas company. She roped in 22-year-old Laura, also from Holmfirth, and now an electrical engineer in Newcastle.

“We suffered more injuries than I thought. We were so optimistic, but the reality hit us on day three. We were exhausted, shaking with fatigue. In the evening we couldn’t even recite the alphabet.

“My feet were bad and my knees. But I can’t complain. The people I was doing this for are worse.”

Final stretch for Denise Sykes, Natalie, Laura and Eleanor Morton and Laura's sister

The girls were helped by Natalie’s brother, Ben, a Royal Marine.

“We were doing more than 30 miles a day and it was tough. Ben joined us for the last two days and really helped. We were not thinking straight we were so tired. So there was a safety issue. But he knew how to keep us going.”

For Laura, the first two days were especially hard. “Then I got into my stride,” she said. “But the fourth day was so tough. No regrets though.”

The walkers attracted quite a bit of interest along the way in a route which took in Surrey. Luton, Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield and on to Holmfirth.

But as Holmfirth neared, the girls even dared think about their next fund-raiser. “Hadrian’s Wall,” suggested Laura. “Near where I live.”

“Yes, but not next week,” said Natalie.

Natalie and Laura with Ben

Her mum, Denise, said: “I thought she was absolutely mad when she decided to do this. We didn’t think it was possible in six days. We have spent the whole time by the phone in case anything went wrong.

“But Natalie is very determined and we want awareness for the charity. And it’s great to have her home for Christmas.”

Natalie said her mum and dad, Kevin, had been ‘amazing’. “I couldn’t have asked for more support,” she said.

The family has strong military connections. Natalie’s grandfather was in the RAF, her brother is in the Royal Marines and she knows boys from back home who went out to Afghanistan.

“In five years’ time it could be my brother who needs help,” Natalie said. “So if I can help, I will.”