Tag: Karen Penny

The Penny rolls on: End’s in sight for coast challenge walker Karen

Long-distance charity walker Karen Penny ends 11,000 mile coastal challenge in Scotland next week

Alzheimer’s Research UK champion Karen Penny is set to complete her amazing 11,000 mile coastal walk around the UK and Ireland on World Alzheimer’s Day, 21 September, in the Shetland Islands.

Karen, 54, had been travelling since January 2019 on foot from her home in the Gower, South Wales around the entire coastline of the UK and Ireland, only returning home when forced to by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had reached the small island of Muckle Flugga in the Shetlands (one of 110 islands that she has walked around as part of her journey), where she planted a flag before returning to her South Wales home for lockdown.

Inspired to support the UK’s leading dementia charity after both of her in-laws were affected by different forms of dementia, Karen has raised nearly £100,000 to fund vital research.

Karen says: “I can’t believe that my walk is coming to an end. I was so sad to have to leave the beautiful Shetland Islands last March because of COVID-19 restrictions, and I am now really excited to be returning to Muckle Flugga. I wonder if my Alzheimer’s Research UK flag is still where I left it!

“The last two and a half years have been wonderful. Although it has sometimes been hard going, I have met so many great people, and heard so many heart-rending stories of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and the other diseases that cause dementia on families.

“It has made me all the more determined to do whatever I can to raise awareness and raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, so that in future families can be spared the fear, harm and heartbreak that so many are currently experiencing.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are so grateful to Karen for the amazing fundraising and awareness-raising that she has done, with such commitment, since the beginning of 2019.

“As Karen has found with all the people who have shared their experiences with her on her journey, one in two people know someone affected by dementia. Through research, we can keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer.

“Research has the power to make breakthroughs possible and Alzheimer’s Research UK is at the forefront of these efforts. We rely on public donations to fund our crucial research and it’s thanks to the commitment of people like Karen that we are able to increase the profile of dementia research and continue our important work.”

To sponsor Karen, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson  

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Coastal walker Karen restarts epic journey

Long-distance walker Karen Penny to re-start her 20,000 mile coastal challenge

Research UK champion Karen Penny is set to re-start her amazing 20,000 mile coastal walk around the UK and Ireland on 10 August 2020.

Karen, 54, had been travelling continuously for 13 months on foot from her home in the Gower, South Wales before the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to return home in March. She had walked 6,405 miles and reached the UK’s northern-most point, in the Shetland Islands, where she placed an Alzheimer’s Research UK flag to mark the point at which she had to break off her incredible journey.

Inspired to support the UK’s leading dementia charity after both of her in-laws were affected by different forms of dementia, Karen has not rested on her laurels while under lockdown back home.

Karen says: “I have tried to use my time away from walking as productively as possible. As well as helping out with deliveries to vulnerable or shielding people in my community, I have put together a calendar with some of the beautiful images that I took on the 13 months of my journey so far, which I will shortly be putting on sale for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“I’ve also been keeping myself fit by taking lots of walks around the beautiful Gower coastline, as well as enjoying spending some quality time with my husband and elderly cat Bilbo, who I thought I might never see again!

“Although it’s been nice to catch up with things at home, I’m nevertheless itching to get started again. On my walk I met so many wonderful people who were as keen as I am to support Alzheimer’s Research UK. Sadly, one in two people know someone who has been affected by dementia, so everywhere I went I met people with their own stories to share.”

Since setting off on 14 January 2019, Karen had already walked the entire coast of the island of Ireland and the whole of the Welsh coastal path, and more than 20 Scottish Islands.

She has raised almost £62,000 towards vital dementia research for Alzheimer’s Research UK, money that is even more crucial in these challenging times for all charities.

Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are delighted that Karen is now able to safely re-start her impressive journey.

“There are 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia. Sadly, people with dementia have also been some of the hardest hit by COVID-19, underlining the urgent need for life-changing treatments for dementia.

“Research has the power to make breakthroughs possible and Alzheimer’s Research UK is at the forefront of these efforts. We rely on public donations to fund our crucial research and it’s thanks to the commitment of people like Karen that we are able to increase the profile of dementia research and continue our important work.”

To sponsor Karen, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson  

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Long-distance walker Karen made Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK

Karen Penny, who is currently in the middle of a 20,000 mile walk around the coast of the UK and Ireland has been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK in recognition of her incredible fundraising and tireless dedication raising awareness of dementia.

This accolade recognises the 54-year-old’s exceptional commitment, in an undertaking that will see her walk continuously around the coast for an estimated three years, a feat never before undertaken by a woman.

Since setting off from her home in The Gower, South Wales, on 14 January, Karen has already walked the entire coast of the island of Ireland and the whole of the Welsh coastal path, and is now in Scotland, where she plans to walk around “at least” 20 islands, as well as the mainland coast. She has already raised more than £40,000 for the charity.

She was inspired to support the UK’s leading dementia research charity, after both of her in-laws were affected by different forms of dementia. As well as raising money, Karen is getting impressive media coverage and raising awareness of dementia wherever she goes.

Karen said: “I am delighted to have been named as an Alzheimer’s Research UK Champion in recognition of my support for the charity.

“Dementia has had a profound impact upon my family. During the last 10 years we have lost two very dear family members to vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, so I am passionate about the need for life-changing research.

“Everywhere I go on my walk around the UK and Ireland, I speak with people whose own families have been affected by these diseases. Their stories, and the determination to raise funds for research, are keeping me going on my journey.”

Karen joins a prestigious group of around 50 people who have been made Champions in recent years in recognition of their efforts in both fundraising and raising awareness on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Karen has taken on an impressive challenge, both in terms of the distance that she is covering and the staggering amount of money that she is raising. She is also raising awareness about dementia, the importance of research and of the work we do at Alzheimer’s Research UK wherever she goes.

“We appreciate all she is doing for us and therefore we would like to thank her by inviting her to become one of our Champions.

“There are 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia. Research has the power to make breakthroughs possible and Alzheimer’s Research UK is at the forefront of these efforts. We rely on public donations to fund our crucial research and it’s thanks to the commitment of people like Karen that we are able to increase the profile of dementia research and continue our vital work.”

To sponsor Karen, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Here comes Karen!

Karen Penny, a 53-year-old mum from South Wales, is currently walking around the ENTIRE coast of the UK and Ireland. The journey will be about 20,000 miles, and will take her an estimated three years to complete!

Karen is raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK – the UK’s leading dementia research charity – after losing both of her in-laws to different forms of dementia. Her fundraising target is £100,000 and she is already nearly 40% of the way there.

Karen – who may be the first woman to do this journey non-stop (i.e. without going home or breaking her journey) – has been making incredible progress since she set off from South Wales in January.

In the first seven months of her challenge she has already walked the complete circumference of the island of Ireland, and the entire Welsh coastal path, recently passing the 3,000 mile milestone.

Karen – who has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Two, BBC Wales and national radio shows in Ireland, as well as receiving national newspaper coverage in England and Ireland – is an enthusiastic and engaging person who has amazing tales to tell about her journey so far.

She has been bowled over by the kindness of people that she has met along the way – with offers of cups of tea, meals, company as she walks and places to stay overnight.

Despite having a tent in her rucksack that she carries with her as she walks, she has found that much of the time kind supporters have offered her accommodation instead – everything from a bird hide to a castle! She has been met and praised by the Mayors of Dublin and Liverpool.

She is currently in the north west of England, and is expected to reach Scotland next week – 18th August, all being well.

She thinks that the Scottish leg of her journey could take her up to a year to complete, as she plans to walk the circumference of “at least” 20 Scottish islands as well as the mainland coast while she is here!

Karen’s fundraising page is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thepennyrollson and her Facebook page (where she has 2,800+ supporters cheering her on) ishttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1790360527648427/