CELEBRATED botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw has vowed to march on after finishing an epic 220-mile fundraising walk at the age of 98.
A small crowd of supporters gathered at her Eggleston home last week as she took on the last stretch of her trek to raise cash for research into endangered upper dale plants and flowers. The walk raised about £5,000.
Dr Bradshaw was initially challenged by members of Teesdale Special Flora Trust to walk 55 miles to mark her birthday in January this year, but decided to quadruple the challenge after experiencing the benefits of walking.
She said: “When I started in January, I could only walk a short distance then I would stop and get my breath back.
“By the end of February, I had done 55 miles and I was really enjoying the walk, so I just kept doing it.”
The initial challenge was chosen because 55 miles is the circumference of the area that is home to the dale’s rare species.
Dr Bradshaw said: “I am fitter. Each day when I get out not only is it exercise but I get some fresh air and I really stop to admire the views. It is a gorgeous bit of the country. I recommend it.
“I was wondering what next total to do. I’ve done 220 miles now and I was wondering how long it will take me to do 500 miles. It will probably be about this time next year. It is easy, you just keep walking.”
Trust members David and Jane Philbrick, who joined Dr Brandshaw on the last leg, were over the moon with the success of the fundraising campaign but were never in doubt that the nonagenarian would finish the challenge.
They said: “We were not remotely surprised, but we do think it is wonderful and we love the fact that Margaret plans to continue.”
