To date Karen has walked 9400 miles of the Coasts of Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland plus over 100 Islands to include Anglesey, The Isle of Man, The Outer Hebrides, Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, The Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight. She will conclude her walk in Shetland in the autumn of this year and when completed will be the first woman to walk the Coast of Britain and Ireland, and she has already raised over £86,000.
The reason she started her challenge to raise awareness of the need for more research into Alzheimers and Dementia. She lost 2 very dear and loved members to this very cruel disease; my husband’s parents, Alma and Kinglsey. Kinglsey was an academic who spoke many languages fluently, Alma a housewife. There is no current cure for Alzheimers. Sadly, dementia can affect any of us at any time with many cases of early onset dementia currently being diagnosed. Whilst on Alderney Karen will be supported by Milly’s Foundation, an who are dedicating to supporting individuals and families struggling with dementia and Alzheimerson here on Alderney.
Representatives from Alderney Mind and Alderney Age Concern will also be helping to support Karen when she starts her Alderney leg on Wednesday.
From Alderney she will head to Guernsey before heading off to Sark, Herm and then she is due to arrive in Jersey on 14th July.
Karen would like to invite any islanders who have experiences to share or would like to help draw awareness to this incredibly important subject to get their walking shoes on. They can either look out for her around the island or contact the Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT) who are helping to support the Alderney leg of her walk.
For anyone who feels able to support they can make donations to Karen’s campaign they can via - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson or www.facebook.com/groups/1790360527648427/
Karen Penny said: ‘During my journey, I have met incredible people and have gained the most unique insight into daily life from all four corners of Britain and Ireland. I have walked with so many people from many different communities and the Channel Island’s looks to be one of the most interesting, I can’t wait to meet the island’s and hear their stories.’
Karen's travel Itinerary;
Monday 5th July Arrive Guernsey from Poole.
Tuesday 6th July Walk Guernsey from Cobo via Chouet and Bordeaux to St Peter Port 6pm Catch flight Alderney
Wednesday 7th July Alderney
Thursday 8th July Return from Alderney 7.30am walk from St Peter Port via Jerbourg via Le Gouffre Guernsey
Friday 9th July Walk from Le Gouffre to Cobo via Pleinmont Guernsey
Saturday 10th July clear Guernsey
Sunday 11th July Travel to Herm from Alderney 10.15 am ferry. Return 17.35 Herm
Monday 12th July 10.25 am Travel to Sark Walk Sark
Tuesday 13th July Sark Walk
Wednesday 14th July Return from Sark, walk to airport. Flight to Jersey
Thursday 15th July St Hellier Via Longbeach to St Catherine Jersey
Friday 16th St Catherine via White Rock and Piere De La Fatelle to Les Fontaines Jersey
Saturday 17th Les Fontaines Via Devil’s Hole, Greve de Lecq, Grosnez to Le Braye Jersey
Sunday 18th Le Braye via Beauport, Noirmont, St Aubin to St Hellier Jersey
Monday 19th Return to Poole 16.50 Jersey