Alice reaches her peak in 100km charity walk

Alice Davies, 20, raised over £600 for Blind Veterans UK, a national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women, by tackling the small stone-walled villages and hills of the Peak District.

Alice said: “I think overall it went really well. At 80km, my only aim was to finish it, but I’m pleased I came in under the 27-hour mark.”

Remembering the start of the ‘100k Yorkshire’, Alice said: “Everyone was really excited – it was lovely how they were all talking to each other and sticking together, even though most of us had never met before. We all had this huge common aim and I was lucky enough to make friends with two other walkers from Lincoln who were both a brilliant support throughout.”

The 100k walk took Alice through Holmfirth, across Black Hill towards Crowden, alongside Torside Reservoir up towards Dunford Bridge, then, via Penistone and Wharncliffe Wood, before finishing at the Blind Veterans UK centre and Guide Dogs outreach office in Sheffield.

“The first half was definitely the hardest as it included Black Hill, which felt as if it would go on forever before you came down the other side,” said Alice.

“We were following the blind veterans taking part and their guides and everyone was in awe at how easy they made getting down look.

“The night stretch was very surreal, walking through dark woods with only a head torch and I was glad to have someone else with me.”

During the last 12km of the walk, Alice received support from her father, Nick, who walked with her to the finish. Once across the finish line, staff, volunteers, other walkers and her mum, Sara, were there to cheer her on.

She added: “I felt so proud when I crossed the finish and the welcome I received was wonderful. Despite how difficult it was at times, physically and mentally, I really enjoyed the challenge and am so happy to be able to say that I completed it.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

To donate to Alice’s fundraising, go online at justgiving.com/alicedavies100k.