Blue Wilson, a 51-year-old local government employee from North Yorkshire, is taking on the British coastline one step at a time in an effort to raise money for Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Changers.
Commenting on her chosen charities, she said: “During my treks, I have become increasingly aware of the perils endangering our oceans, marine life, coastal communities and climate. I have seen first hand some of the great work my chosen charities have done and I want to help by contributing as much as possible to their future projects.”
However, taking on such a mighty challenge is no mean feat, earlier this year, while walking between Port Isaac and Bude back in July, Blue was forced to break off early from a section of her 11,000 hike through heat exhaustion.
Despite this, Blue’s determination has not wavered, she is using her Christmas leave to fill in the 27-mile gap on the North Cornwall coast. She hopes to complete the South West Coast Path on this trip, which includes the whole of Cornwall and Devon.
Enjoying a slice of Kernow kindness, Blue will be spending Christmas Day in Bude before swiftly setting off again on Boxing Day, to walk the missing 27-mile gap over two days.
Blue says that the five-day hike from Bude is widely regarded as the most brutal part of her whole UK walk. The many steep ascents and descents to Hartland Quay, the equivalent of climbing the Matterhorn.
“Despite its many challenges, I have loved walking the Cornwall and Devon stretch,” said Blue. “I have met some wonderful, friendly and supportive people along the way. I’m hoping for a similar welcome and kindness over the festive week.
“However, beautiful as this stretch is, I’m really keen to complete another milestone and dream of mine finishing the year on a high.”
After starting off from the Yorkshire coast in 2020 Blue has been taking on her epic challenge in between work commitments, using her annual leave and own money on every stage.
In the 238 days walking, Blue has covered 4,097 miles so far in her estimated 10-year quest. She will finish 2025 in Weston-Super-Mare having completed the South West Coast Path section and raised more than £7,000 for her two marine charities, Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Changers.
She added: “Our coastline is so utterly diverse and many of the amazing things I’ve seen are inaccessible unless you walk to them. I’ve also witnessed the dramatic acceleration in coastal erosion, especially along the east and south coast.
“Plastic pollution never ceases to shock me and I see the enormity of the problem as I’m walking along our coastline and roadsides. The effects of plastic, pollution and raw sewage discharges on wildlife in our rivers, lakes and coastline are catastrophic.”
Donations can be made to Blue’s challenge via www.justgiving.com/team/teambluewilsonwalks
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