LORRAINE Bool is on a mission to walk 500 miles at ten miles a day for the NHS.
It’s a huge task for the 60-something mum and grandmother who works at Tesco’s in Redditch.
We caught up with her by phone as she strode out from Hunt End heading for Feckenham on another of her mile mile legs.
“It’s quite daunting and hard work, but I’m doing it for people who are risking their lives for us – our doctors and nurses and all the care home staff,” said the Greenlands resident.
She added: “My daughter’s a Macmillan Nurse at the QE but she’s been on maternity leave.
“She told me me they might ask her if she could go back in to help and I said, ‘would you go?’ and she said she wouldn’t want to, but she would because it was her job.
“And I thought of all those staff who might feel exactly the same but who have no choice, they go in and they’re there, day after day helping people.”
Inspired by Captain, now Colonel Tom Moore, Lorraine set herself a target of raising £1,000 and after three weeks, has so far raised £755.
“I’ve found it quite difficult to get people to donate,” said Lorraine, who has three children and two grandchildren.
“I’m asking people for £5 which works out at just a penny a mile, but it’s hard work, although I appreciate people don’t have a lot of money at the moment.”
So far she’s covered Alvechurch, Beoley, Tardebigge and various parts of Redditch itself, walking 177 miles while still working part time at Tesco’s in Oakenshaw.
To ease the aches and pains, she swaps her shoes around every day so she’s not rubbing the same parts of her feet as she eats up the miles.
“I’ve enjoyed walking out from my home every day, although the second week was tough as it rained every day, but so what, I only get wet,” said Lorraine.
Proud son Ryan said: “I think she’s brilliant and a real inspiration.”
To support Lorraine, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/lorrainebool.
