A woman whose ‘victory walk’ has seen her tread more than 5000 miles around the UK coastline is set to arrive in Fowey tomorrow (Friday).
When Commander Jane Allen retired after 37 years in the Royal Naval Reserve, she knew she wanted to do something special to mark the end of her career as well as give back to two charities close to her heart: the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust.
Now nearing the final stretch of her challenge after nine months on the coastal path, Jane is aiming to arrive back at HMS Victory in Portsmouth in early September.
Disaster struck for Jane in February when she suffered a fracture and dislocation of her right shoulder while in Wales. But after 10 weeks off the walk, she was back again and rounded Land’s End on July 1.
Highlights, says Jane, have included the amazing views, walking 22 seaside piers, and reaching the four points of the compass during her incredible hike.
Jane is not doing the walk alone; her husband Frank, a former Royal Marine, is accompanying her all the way in their self-financed support vehicle.
Between them, the couple have almost 70 years’ service in the Real Navy and Royal Marines, and have served from Aden to Afghanistan.
Jane will be walking between Fowey and Polperro and onwards on the coastal path over the coming days.