An incredible Burnham-On-Sea resident is pulling on her hiking shoes to celebrate her 90th birthday by walking the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for a special cause.
Mary Nicholson will be taking on the 84-mile walking challenge along The Hadrian’s Wall Path stretching coast to coast across northern England to raise funds for a special cause close to her heart.
Mary was left with six children of school age when her husband John sadly died from cancer in 1988 and her brother is also currently receiving cancer treatment – so she’s hoping to raise £5,000 for The Beacon Cancer Centre in Taunton which helps provide support and treatment.
Mary, who was presented with a civic award for her local community work last month, has been walking over 50 miles a week on Burnham beach and Brean Down in preparation for the big challenge.
In spite of a setback, when she was knocked over by her dog and finished up with her leg in a splint, she is training hard again and is determined to complete the walk with her family by her side.
The Hadrian’s Wall Path is an 84-mile National Trail stretching coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast.
Mary has also been training by walking the Parrett Trail and recently did the Five Tors walk, taking in Glastonbury Tor, Brent Knoll and the Burrow Mump.
“I love walking, especially when it’s for a great cause like the Beacon Cancer which does such important work,” she says.
“My brother Peter is currently battling cancer. He has been incredibly inspiring and a positive force despite it – and has being getting wonderful support from the centre, so now I want to help them.”
“I want to thank the Beacon Centre for all they do. They are always happy to talk and help people at all hours – they really are a beacon of hope.”
Mary won’t be alone during her marathon trek – she says two of her daughters and a friend will be accompanying her and several further family members will be joining her along the route. “It will be really wonderful to have the family along supporting me.”
Regular Burnham-On-Sea.com readers may remember that Mary has always loved a daring challenge for her birthday – we reported here in 2015 that Mary celebrated her 80th birthday with an abseiling challenge!
She adds: “I’m already considering doing a wing walk or another abseiling challenge for my 100th!”
Mary has always had a busy, active life. Despite the sad loss of her husband, she carried on working as a nurse at the British Royal Infirmary and also subsequently became a sister at the BRI and then latterly worked as a senior Somerset midwife. She brought up her six children on her own and was then able to watch her daughters follow her example by pursuing successful nursing careers of their own.
Whilst working and bringing up her family Mary founded a local youth club, running it for many years. Mary was also a founding member of Hillview Carnival Club, 51 years ago, and she remains a strong supporter of the club.
