A Hexham business owner is well on her way to walking a huge 1000 miles for a charity in the area.

Sarah Parker, who owns the Secret Salon in the town, had been originally set to walk 26 miles last Spring between Bamburgh and Alnmouth, but was forced to change her plans after Covid restrictions stopped the event from going ahead.

However, determined to ensure she completed a walking challenge, in January of this year she decided to enter a new event which would see her walk the equivalent of the distance between Land’s End to John O’Groats.

However to make the challenge even more difficult for herself, Sarah decided to up the distance to a huge 1000 miles after starting strongly as she worked towards the original target.

This new figure was 126 miles more than the already mammoth task had been set to take place over, with the event being done virtually due to the restrictions that are currently in force.

“I’ve walked every day since 1st January and even though I’ve lived in Hexham all my life, I’ve discovered places I never knew existed,” said Sarah.

“It’s become a bit of an obsession now. I’ve lost two toe nails and I’ve walked through knee high snow blizzards but I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I know so many people that have used the Hospice services, and I’ve seen the direct result of the work they do in the community.

“It’s so important to support our local charities, and this one is particularly close to my heart.”

Sarah has created a sponsorship page that is open for donations to the Tynedale charity, and she has so far raised over £600 as part of her walking challenge.

"I was supposed to be walking 26 miles of the coastal path in May 2020, but due to COVID it was postponed to May 2021. Unfortunately it has now been postponed to 2022," she wrote on the page.

"I started in January doing the Lands End to John O Groats virtual challenge, walking 874 miles in 12 months.

"This would keep me busy while the salon was closed due to lockdown.

"The charity is fantastic, and unfortunately as a family we have had to call on their support over the last few months. They have made what is a truly awful experience, just a little bit easier.

"I know that times are hard at the moment , but if you could donate even a few pennies , it would make such a difference."

To donate to Sarah's walking challenge, head to https://www.givepenny.com/lands-end-to-john-o-groats.