A HIKER has completed an epic 1,000-mile endurance walk across all 10 national parks in England, with her rescue dog ‘Cookie’ by her side.
In the process, Jen Lowthrop and her faithful companion also raised an impressive £10,000 for the Peak District National Park Foundation, which she chairs.
The 38-year-old crossed the finish line yesterday at Callow Hall in Ashbourne, Derbyshire after 10 weeks of almost constant walking after setting off from Northumberland on August 19.
She completed all 10 national parks: Northumberland, North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, the Broads, the South Downs, the New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Peak District.
“I thought, this is a chance to not only raise money for the Peak District foundation, but also raise awareness of all our national parks and why we need to look after them, why they’re important to our physical and mental wellbeing and learn more myself about each of our national parks,” she told the press.
“I wanted it to be bigger than your average challenge, but something that felt just about manageable.”
Plagued by numerous blisters, and the occasional stumble, the intrepid walker took only a brief rest day for recovery between parks, although she was forced to stop for a week when three-year-old Cookie injured a paw.
She added: “It was emotional. I was crying and I don’t know if they were tears of joy or sadness, I think it was a combination of both.
“I’m so excited that it’s over, but also quite sad it’s over, but mainly I’m just so thankful to have all these amazing people in my life that have supported me along the way.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Jen and Cookie’s charity efforts can still do so here… Peak District National Park Foundation: A Walk in the Parks (enthuse.com)
