A BROMSGROVE paramedic has raised £631 for the NSPCC after taking on a virtual walking London Marathon on Sunday.
Lisa O’Rourke lined up for the 26.2miles with Amanda Synnott and Jacky Cotton, walking the Hanbury Circle before moving onto the canal – starting at Barnt Green and finishing in Worcester.
A socially distanced welcoming committee met them at the Queen’s Head in Stoke Prior when they finished.
Lisa, 48, decided to do the challenge a couple of months ago having previously completing and enjoying The Lake District Challenge – a walk, cycle and kayak – for the NSPCC.
On Sunday it took the trio 13 and a half hours to complete, with a stop for lunch in between.
Lisa said: “We started at 6am in the dark and we finished in the dark at 8pm.
“The people in the fields who could see what we were doing were cheering and clapping us on, and people on the barges on the canal were really supportive.”
They also bumped into another group on the canal running for the NSPCC and a man who handed them a £20 donation after asking what they were doing.
Lisa said: “The first 20 miles were okay but the last six or so miles were horrendous.
“My legs were giving up by that point – I really don’t know how people manage to run it.
“I have so much respect for anyone who runs that distance because walking it is incredible hard with the muscle and mental fatigue.
“After we finished we were freezing as well as emotional.
“It was wet and miserable in the morning but we had some welcome sunshine in the afternoon.”
She said she was glad she had some company on the journey and thanked everyone who donated,
“It will help the NSPCC be there for children who have yet to find their voice.”
