By way of celebrating my 70th birthday in November I’m challenging myself - or maybe my age!! - to walk 70 miles along the Thames in 7 days to raise money for our local Age UK - Age UK Waltham Forest.

Steve and I have benefitted greatly from the charity since we moved to Chingford nearly 3 years ago both by volunteering and by taking part in some of the many activities it runs. It’s enabled us to meet people locally and make friends and we’ve seen how many others from all walks of life and in very varying circumstances have benefitted too.

Age UK Waltham Forest is a local independent charity, completely self funded and responsible for its own fundraising for the many activities and services it provides to those living in the borough. With the cost of living crisis and the pressures on the NHS and Social Care its services are needed more than ever and yet it gets harder and harder to raise money. The Befriending service alone reaches over 300 isolated older people each year and has a long waiting list. There is also a shopping service, an Information and Advice service, and several other services along with many activities catering for different tastes and varying levels of mobility and taking place in the hub and across the borough.

I would very much appreciate your support in doing the challenge which is hopefully not too ambitious for my aged legs!