Lucy's 200-mile challenge (From Northwich Guardian)

Lucy's 200-mile challenge

4:30pm Monday 13th August 2012 in News

A DETERMINED Oakmere Woman laced up her hiking boots for a gruelling 200mile trek from Cumbria to Whitby to raise £2,000 for charity.

Lucy Elliot, aged 28, arrived at Robin Hood’s bay, the final stop on her solo hike, on July 31 after enduring 13 days of aches, pains and injuries.

The Cooperative produce buying assistant wanted to make the journey in aid of the mental health charity Mind, as she has Bi-Polar disorder.

Lucy said: “It’s hard to get treated for mental illness in this country. The waiting list to get treatment on the NHS is very long. I just wanted to do something that would put some money into that area.

“It was really hard and it was painful and I think I learned a lot about myself. It was like a walk-about for an aborigine!”

Mind offer support and advice to people in the grip of mental illness.

“Sometimes just talking to someone on the phone can really help and I wished I had known about Mind when I wasn’t well a couple of years ago.”

Initially the resolute Lucy planned to camp out during her trip but with her backpack weighing in at 18stone, she eventually relented and stayed at hostels.

“I wanted to make it as difficult as possible and as much of a challenge as I could” she added.

Lucy is only £400 off reaching her target and says it would mean the world.

Anyone wishing to donate should visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lucyscoast2coast2012