COVERING 76 miles of track along the Great Glen Way, Jean Edwards, partner at Deli Farm Charcuterie, Delabole, walked her way to raise almost £3,000 in aid of Cots for Tots.

The charity is one close to Jean’s heart as they supported her grandson Tomas Patrick, or ‘Tommy’, whilst he was receiving treatment at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michaels Hospital in Bristol.

Tommy was born through emergency cesarean due to a low fetal movement on March 25, at Southmead Hospital, Bristol — four weeks prematurely.

He was born with a form of Leukemia called ‘Transient Abnormal Myelpoesis’ or TAM. It can only occur in babies with trisomy 21, more commonly referred to as Down’s Syndrome.

Tommy was being cared for from his birth until his homecoming on May 5. He still has many bridges to cross but Jean said if it hadn’t been for the care and treatment that he received in the NICU he would not be with us now.

This spurred Jean to take on one of the most beautiful walks in the UK, with a route that covers 76 miles of track through forests, moorland, rivers and canal paths.

Jean took on her challenge alongside her husband Martin and their three dogs, two Spaniels and a Labrador.

On the support she received and why she was able to take on this challenge Jean said: “Firstly I would like to thank everyone who had donated so kindly to Cots for Tots the charity that raises money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michaels Hospital in Bristol.

“I would also like to say a very special thank-you to Robin Hanbury-Tennison, for allowing me to hi-jack his challenges and raise money for St Michaels NICU.”

Robin is 80 years old and has been setting himself a number of challenges to raise money for Survival International — a charity he co-founded. His challenges are extreme and his last was no exception with a target of raising £80k, which he surpassed.

Robin rode across Scotland and wanted as many people to join him as possible, and as Jean hadn’t ridden for many years she decided to join in but would walk the course instead.

During her walk, Jean saw many sights, including views over Inverness with the Cairngorm Mountains beyond and a snow covered Ben Nevis. They also met up with Gordon, the owner of ‘Loch Ness Cruises’, to take a trip across the Loch where they met up with Robin for his 80th birthday celebration.

Unfortunately their view of Lock Ness was shrouded in low cloud. They then returned across the Loch to where they had left off and continued on their walk.

Jean said: “We walked to Fort Augustus, although not quite the longest, this was probably our toughest day as it has many ups and downs and even when you thought you couldn’t go up again, yes there it was…another uphill! Well done to Gage Williams who walked with me all day!”

Jean said that after all this the, final day was ‘a doddle’ as the weather was good as they approached the finish line.They arrived at their destination in Fort William in time for lunch and a well-earned rest.

Jean has thanked all those who supported her via her Facebook page and to all those who donated via her JustGiving page, raising an impressive £2,789 so far.

The work done in the NICU at St Michaels is ongoing and another poorly baby has already filled Tommy’s cot.

To give these special babies the best start in life they need as much help as possible. Jean will be closing her donation page at the end of the month so now is the time to donate.

To donate visit Jean’s JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Jean-Edwards1