Wellbeing walk with Princess Of Wales is led by Louth entrepreneur Lizzy
An entrepreneur who hails from the Louth area rubbed shoulders with royalty when organising a walk to promote mental wellbeing.
Lizzy Mills, 38, planned and guided the informal walk in which Catherine, Princess Of Wales, strode through the Peak District in Derbyshire alongside members of the mental health charity, Mind Over Mountains.
As a child, Lizzy grew up in the East Lindsey village of Holton-le-Clay, attended King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth and loved exploring the Lincolnshire Wolds, which she describes as "a hidden gem”.
But she is now a qualified mountain leader and first-aid expert and carries out work for the charity, which offers walks and retreats led by professional counsellors and wellbeing coaches.
She also runs her own company, What’s Not To Hike, which provides a range of outdoor adventures and activities as well as premier training in first-aid skills. And she has led exciting expeditions around the world.
Mind Over Mountains approached Catherine, who is recovering from cancer, because she is a committed advocate of mental wellbeing and the associated importance of connecting with nature.
Despite a wet and windy day, she happily accepted the chance to take part in the walk, which began at Curbar Gap and took in Baslow Edge, with views over the Derwent Valley.
Lizzy said: “Guiding the princess on the walk was a real privilege and a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of Mind Over Mountains.
"She really enjoyed it. She said how much nature means to her, getting out for a walk with the family.
“What struck me most was how, despite the wild weather, we all came together to share a meaningful experience outdoors.
"There was a strong sense of connection as we took time to talk, reflect and enjoy moments of mindfulness in nature.
"It was a powerful reminder of the value of simply being outside together, and we now hope to stay in touch with the princess.”
Her fellow walkers shared personal stories with Catherine of how therapeutic outdoor experiences with Mind Over Mountains had helped them overcome mental-health challenges.
Walking along Baslow Edge, one of the Peak District’s most iconic gritstone escarpments, they all paused to admire the surrounding landscape.
There was even a light-hearted moment when both the princess and Lizzy looked down and laughed as they realised they were standing together in a muddy puddle!
Mind Over Mountains is the only UK charity that integrates professional therapeutic support with guided outdoor experiences and has helped more than 1,000 people since it was set up in 2020.
Lizzy now lives with her partner in the Hope Valley area of the Peak District. But she has fond memories of her days in Holton-le-Clay and Louth.
“From a young age, I always enjoyed exploring and being outside, walking, horse-riding and cycling,” she says.
“As a qualified teacher with 12 years’ experience, I made the decision to transition away from education to pursue my passions full-time, rather than juggling them alongside teaching.
"Having lived in numerous places in the UK, I have settled in the beautiful Peak District where I spend my free time exploring the beauty and freedom that countryside, hills, mountains and rock faces have to offer, often with my wonderful dog, Fern.
"My desire to explore has taken me across the globe -- from leading expeditions in Arctic Greenland, Panama, Iceland, Tanzania, Switzerland and even to Everest Base Camp to personally travelling and trekking through diverse landscapes in Morocco, Norway, the Azores, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Namibia.”