Whittlesey charity shop manager for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Lorna Hazeltine, will be lacing up her walking boots this summer as she takes on a 100km challenge.

Forty-four-year-old Mrs Hazeltine, who lives in March, has pledged to do the Thames Path Challenge in aid of the charity. The organised event, which is now in it’s fourth year, sees participants push themselves to their limits with a range of distance challenges.

Mrs Hazeltine has chosen the 100km endurance walk which will take her from Putney Bridge right the way through to Henley. She will begin her journey on Saturday September 12, walking through the night and aims to complete the walk in around 20 hours.

Mrs Hazeltine, who has worked at EACH’s Whittlesey shop for the four years since it opened, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I have worked at EACH for four years - I am so passionate about the charity and the care and support they provide to families. Some of our regular customers use the charity’s services and so I see first hand the difference it makes to their lives and I can see where the money we raise goes.

“I have worked in charity retail for 11 years now and I love it. I have worked at the Whittlesey shop right from the beginning and really enjoy the varied days at work. I love to see our loyal and regular customers that visit us daily. I wanted to give something back to EACH from my personal life as well as my working life – when I heard about the Thames Path Challenge I knew it was the one for me.

“I started training about a month ago, walking regular long distances to prepare my body and particularly my feet! I’m looking forward to the next few weeks training and will be thinking of the families we support within EACH to keep me motivated.”

To show support her 100km challenge visit: www.justgiving.com/Lorna-hazeltine

Alternatively you can pop into the EACH Whittlesey shop at 5 Market Street to take part in a sponsorship raffle. The shop team there are always grateful for new customers and good quality donations.