A BLIND great grandmother is planning an 88-mile unaided walk in Holland, having already raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Pat Burgess, 69, has completed the world famous Nijmegan walk 11 times and this year aims to back South Lakeland Voluntary Society for the Blind by her efforts.

The walk was established 87 years ago by the Dutch city's mayor, who featured in the film A Bridge Too Far. He feared his people were getting too unhealthy and needed some exercise.

The clover-shaped route now attracts around 46,000 walkers every year from all over the world. Mrs Burgess, who has severely limited blurred vision and lives in Nook, near Lupton, has completed the trek using her white stick and travels alone.

She has already helped several local charities, including her local church, which managed to buy new hymn books after one of her walks.

Mrs Burgess said she had never kept a tally of how much money she had raised, but said it ran into thousands of pounds.

Anyone wishing to help her on the July Nijmegan event should telephone South Lakeland Voluntary Society for the Blind on 01539-740425.

May 15, 2003 10:30