Mum set to leave family for four years to walk 20,000 miles for dementia research

“I might be gone for some time,” says a mother-of-one, who is set to embark upon an adventure of a lifetime to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Karen Penny is aiming to walk around the entire coast of Britain and Ireland and will not come home until she has completed her challenge.

The 53-year-old, who is aiming to raise £100,000 for the charity, said: “I am now ready to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime; a continuous walk circumnavigating the 19,000 miles of the British and Irish Coastline, and 20 of the largest islands. A feat never achieved by a woman, least of all by one on the wrong side of 50!

“I have previously raised over £6,000 for Alzheimer’s by running a marathon and walking the length of Britain. I am now devoting the next four years of my life, leaving family and friends and my cat Bilbo behind me to raise a target of £100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Her journey will start on January 14 next year at Pennard Primary School before following the Wales Coast Path to Fishguard, which she expects to take about three weeks. She will cross to Rosslare and spend six to eight months walking around Ireland and Northern Ireland before returning to Wales and thereafter clockwise around mainland UK.

She has used Ordnance Survey and Google Maps to plan her route as well as contacting walking groups for local knowledge.

“I know I can take it in my stride,” says Ms Perry, who is retired after working in the legal profession for 30 years.

Her plan is to walk 15 miles a day for seven days at a time, followed by a rest day, all whilst staying in campsites or by camping in the wild.

Her husband Mark Faulkner, a retired police officer, will drive their camper van to meet her every six weeks, giving her somewhere to sleep and relieving her of her big rucksack.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “I know she can do it.”

Ms Perry decided to complete the walk to raise money for dementia research after her mother-in-law Alma and father-in-law Kingsley died of dementia-related illnesses.

She explained: “Dementia has had a profound impact upon our family. During the last 10 years we have lost two very dear family members. Alma who succumbed to the effects of vascular dementia in a matter of months, and Kingsley, who deteriorated to such an extent both mentally and physically that ultimately, he couldn't even recognise family members.”

In 2017, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias became the leading cause of death in the UK. With no treatments to stop or cure them, these are diseases that no-one has yet survived. Alzheimer’s Research UK is committed to making breakthroughs possible.

Ms Perry - who also volunteers for the National Trust and is a school governor - hopes to become the first woman to complete the walk continuously.

She is currently training by walking between eight and 10 miles a day and sleeping in her tent in the garden to help her acclimatise to the cold nights.

To donate to Ms Perry’s JustGiving page click here