Trek leaves Thurso's Donna footsore but happy
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PROVING that she can go the distance for good causes in Caithness, a Thurso woman raised a four figure sum when she completed one of Holland’s biggest charity events.
Donna Mills (52) was one of 45,000 people who took part in the Walk of the World which is held annually in Nijmegen.
The charity event remembers the liberation of Holland during World War Two when soldiers from other nations joined the Dutch to celebrate the freedom from Nazi occupation.
Donna joined her brother, Robert Watt (45) – who lives in Blackburn near Edinburgh but is originally from Thurso – and several other Scottish participants to walk in a 200km loop across the countryside and through several Dutch villages.
She managed to raise over £1250 as part of her magnificent achievement, although she admitted she had to push through the pain barrier.
“It wasn’t the first time that I have done the challenge,” she said. “But it was the longest I have ever walked as there are different distances you can take part in.
“At the end of the walk my feet were sore and covered in blisters, but it was worth every step.”
The bakery assistant, who works in Jamieson’s, divided the money between Caithness Mental Health Support Group’s Stepping Stones centre and the North Highland Cancer Information and Support Group, which are both based in Thurso, and the Caithness and Sutherland’s Women’s Aid children and young people’s service in Wick.
“When I last took part in Walk of the World, I regretted that I didn’t raise any money for local charities,” she said.
“I was determined to do the walk to help make a difference to people’s lives.
“I auctioned off a luxury hamper which fetched £260 and raised the rest by door-to-door collections and donations from friends and family. I was amazed by the support and generosity everyone showed to me.”
Donna, of Springpark, said that she has no intention of putting her feet up just yet and has already booked the same hotel in Nijmegen to take part in next year’s event.
However, next time she says she will be walking one of the shorter routes.
