Long-distance charity walker Karen Penny ends 11,000 mile coastal challenge in Scotland

A woman who previously walked through Caithness as part of a 11,000-mile coastal charity challenge is set to finish on World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21, in the Shetland Islands.

Alzheimer’s Research UK champion Karen Penny (56) has been travelling since January 2019 on foot from her home in the Gower, South Wales around the entire coastline of the UK and Ireland, only returning home when forced to by the Covid-19 pandemic. She had reached the small island of Muckle Flugga in the Shetlands (one of 110 islands that she has walked around as part of her journey), where she planted a flag before returning to her South Wales home for lockdown.

Inspired to support the UK’s leading dementia charity after both of her in-laws were affected by different forms of dementia, Karen has raised nearly £100,000 to fund vital research.

Karen says: “I can’t believe that my walk is coming to an end. I was so sad to have to leave the beautiful Shetland Islands last March because of Covid-19 restrictions, and I am now really excited to be returning to Muckle Flugga. I wonder if my Alzheimer’s Research UK flag is still where I left it.

“The last two-and-a-half years have been wonderful. Although it has sometimes been hard going, I have met so many great people, and heard so many heart-rending stories of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and the other diseases that cause dementia on families.

"It has made me all the more determined to do whatever I can to raise awareness and raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, so that in future families can be spared the fear, harm and heartbreak that so many are currently experiencing.”

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are so grateful to Karen for the amazing fundraising and awareness-raising that she has done, with such commitment, since the beginning of 2019.

“As Karen has found with all the people who have shared their experiences with her on her journey, one in two people know someone affected by dementia. Through research, we can keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer."

To sponsor Karen, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Related article:

Penny makes pounds as charity trek restarts

The Penny rolls through Caithness

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.