Somerset pensioners put in the hard yards in epic walks for charity.
A couple of inspirational pensioners from Somerset are setting the pace and an example with their respective fundraising efforts.
98 year-old Owen Hillier is walking 100 metres every day until the end of the lockdown for Dorothy House hospice care.
And Joanna Stevens has completed a marathon in her own back garden to raise funds for Save the Children's coronavirus appeal.
OWEN HILLIER'S STORY
Owen, a World War 2 veteran from Nunney in Somerset, has already raised more than £2,750 and counting [Thurs, 16 April].
He started his challenge on Easter Sunday - one week after his birthday - when he heard about the hospice's appeal for emergency funds.
Owen has been awarded an MBE for his services to the community, and was a member of the air force service police for Bomber Command in Kilmington, East Devon.
Listen to what Owen has to say:
Mr Hillier's heroic efforts - and age - are very similar to those of Captain Tom Moore, who has completed 100 laps of his garden and raised more than £12m for NHS charities.
It will take Owen a lot longer, and a a great deal more walking, to raise anywhere near as many funds, but Dorothy House are certainly grateful for his ongoing contribution.
JOANNA STEVENS' STORY
73-year-old grandmother of two Joanna Stevens, from West Bradley near Glastonbury, managed 234 laps of her Somerset garden in the hot Easter weekend weather.
Despite ‘dodgy knees’ and suffering from asthma, Mrs Stevens walked 16 miles on Good Friday and finished the remaining 10 miles by Saturday lunchtime.
She picked up a blister and raised more than £2,000 along the way.