Limerick pensioners to take on one of the toughest long-distance trails in England

THREE WOMEN from a Limerick-based walking club will take on one of the toughest long-distance trails in England, which will see them walk over 200 kilometres.

Marian Wallis, Anne Coffey and Mary O'Brien are three members of the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club - a hill walking group of which Ms Wallis is chairperson.

The three women, who are all pensioners, and no strangers to hiking and hillwalking, will take on Pennine Way in England.

The adventure will be for a good cause as they look to raise money for the Mid-West Cancer Foundation, and Ms Wallis, who recently turned 70, said she wanted to take on the challenge to mark her birthday.

Ms Wallis is from Ardpatrick, while Ms O’Brien and Ms Coffey, who are sisters, are natives of Ballylanders but are now living in Glenroe and Hospital.

At the time of writing, the group had already raised nearly €5,500, well over their initial target of €3000. Ms Wallis said that all money raised will be going straight to the charity as the trio are covering the cost of the trip themselves.

“Our hope is to fundraise for Mid-West Cancer in memory of all those we have known who waged a personal battle with cancer.

"In the hands of the Mid West Cancer Foundation, this money will benefit many who are or who may in the future be faced with a cancer diagnosis,” the group said on their fundraiser page.

The trail they will tackle stretches from Edale, in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border.

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The three Ballyhoura Bears will take on an astounding 225 kilometre of this trail which will reach elevations of nearly 900 meters at some points.

The walk is expected to take around nine days, with the three Limerick women having already sourced suitable accommodation along the way so that they are not sleeping out in the elements.

Ms Wallis said the trio were more excited than nervous for the expedition, as they were all seasoned veterans when it comes to trails such as this.

The walk will take place on April 17, with those wishing to donate to the Ballyhoura Bears cause are able to do so at www.idonate.ie.