A 69-year-old semi-retiree from Bakewell has walked an astonishing 870 miles along the Welsh coast to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice, completing the challenge in stages over more than six months.

Lisa Randall set off from Chester on the 27 December 2024 and walked right to Chepstow, in southeast Wales.

Lisa took on this challenge in memory of her friend and personal trainer, Terri James, who received care from Ashgate Hospice before she died.

“Terri was a proud Yorkshire woman with a passion for the arts, travelling and inspiring and empowering those she trained,” said Lisa. “She ran both the London and New York marathons, and fundraised even during her own treatment.

“In the words of her husband Phil, she was a unique and wonderful person; fearless in her ability to face life challenges head on, generous with her time, a giver with a big heart who loved baking for others.

“Observing Terri as she fundraised for cancer and hospice charities during her own treatments was inspirational and in true Terri style, she was still fundraising weeks before she herself needed the care of Ashgate Hospice.”

Rather than tackling the 870-mile Wales Coast Path in one continuous journey Lisa spread the walk over half a year, staying in her micro-camper and lacing up her boots whenever time allowed.

Lisa said: “I just put my boots on and started walking in the knowledge that it would take as long as it took… Yes, I’m no stranger to long distance walking but this was bigger, much bigger than anything I’ve done before.”

Though she was walking alone, Lisa met plenty of other walkers on the coastal trails.

“So began the social days, chatting, offering and receiving words of encouragement and swapping path tales,” she added.

“I have also been truly humbled by the generosity of these complete strangers who, on learning about why I was walking, would often make a donation.”

Lisa boosted her fundraising efforts by organising adventure film nights, book swaps, and selling bracelets at a maker’s market, making friends and raising money as she went.

Lisa said: “I’ve walked through three seasons, seen lambs being born which are now as big as their mums, watched frost and ice give way to spring flowers and followed nature in all its glory as it marched into summer.

“I’ve been scorched by the sun, battered by wind, covered in mud, bitten by horse flies (and a dog on Anglesey!) And been stung by so many nettles that I should have taken out shares in Dock leaves!

“I’ve witnessed sunrises, sunsets, acres and acres of moody skies and seas of such staggering colours that it was hard to take it all in.”

Lisa has now completed her epic adventure, raising more than £4,610.64 for Ashgate Hospice.

Ashgate Hospice must raise £11 million every year to fund its care, with less than a third of its income coming from the NHS. Find out how you can take on your own fundraising challenge, whether it’s a walk, run, cycle or something completely different.