A Newcastle Emlyn woman has laced up her boots and is walking every day in a bid to complete a 1,000-mile challenge to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.

Sam Temple-Scotton, aged 44, is walking in memory of her grandad, Douglas Bedingham, who lived with Parkinson’s for more than a decade, and died in September aged 94.

Sam has completed 160 miles so far. She will walk various distances every day, and has set herself the target of completing the challenge by the end of the year.

She said: “My gramps loved the outdoors and I used to walk with him frequently, so I wanted to take on a challenge that really captured his spirit. He loved the outdoors and the 1,000 mile walk means I need to walk pretty much every day. Walking with him and my pet dogs inspired my love for walking and the countryside. Also having watched gramps become trapped inside his own body and unable to move because of his Parkinson’s somehow made walking every day a fitting tribute."

Sam added: “I'm supporting Parkinson's UK because Parkinson's is a cruel and debilitating condition. Its effects are devastating and very frightening both to the person but also the families. In my experience there is a real lack of understanding of how truly debilitating Parkinson’s is. People associate it with a tremor but don't understand the full implications. Research carried out by charities like Parkinson’s UK is critical to finding a cure, but the charity is also instrumental in helping to raise awareness of how Parkinson’s affects people.”

Part of Sam’s journey will include 10.5 miles in the Parkinson's UK Brecon Beacons Walk on September 5.

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “When you factor in the long distance the gravity of Sam’s challenge becomes clear. We are incredibly grateful to Sam for her support. I hope that Sam’s story will inspire others to sign up for a future walking event for the charity in the future.”

To sponsor Sam visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamTempleScotton.

To find out more about the Parkinson’s UK Brecon Beacons Walk visit:

www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/walk-parkinsons-pen-y-fan-brecon-beacons.