A Long Walk in Spain for Ilkley woman

Sue Boerriter, of Ben Rhydding, has strutted the catwalk of the annual fashion show at The Craiglands Hotel in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support for the past eight years.

But now she is raising money for charity by going the extra mile and trekking in Spain, from Seville in the south to Santiago de Compostela in the north-west.

The route, known as the Via de la Plata, is an ancient pilgrim way and 1,000km long. Walking it during the next five weeks, Sue is hoping to raise money for two different causes. The first is Cancer Research UK.

“Walking a Camino becomes a way of life,” said Sue. “Walk, wash, eat, sleep; walk, wash, eat, sleep – you get into a kind of rhythm. Then you get up and do it all over again for days and days and days.

"I know it's not everyone's idea of a great trip, but there's lots to see and plenty of time for thinking. And doing long walks, I can't help thinking of people I know who would love to simply be able to step outside and go for a walk in the fresh air, but, for whatever reason, just can't.

"I was thinking of loved and lost ones walking another Camino in 2011, and this time thought maybe it's a way to raise some money for what stops so many from doing so much: cancer.”

You can help Sue by donating directly to her justgiving.com/Sue-Boerrigter fundraising page.

The other cause Sue is supporting is the St John's Church Roof Fund, which is aiming to raise £150,000 during the next three years to pay for essential repairs to the historic Ben Rhydding building.

“Along a Camino, you pass lots of churches and chapels of all sizes, and as a member of St John's Church in Ben Rhydding, I'd also like to help the church roof fund towards the repairs that are currently needed there," added Sue.

Visit mydonate.bt.com/events/caminowalk/298699 to contribute to the St John's Church Roof Fund.

The Craiglands Fashion Show this year, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support's local project, is on April 21.