AN IRVINE woman has raised more than £1,000 after taking on a 26-mile charity hike around the town to raise vital funds for a cancer charity.

Laura Lawler, 44, had planned to do the lake District Mighty hike this month, but the event was unfortunately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, after having already received donations and with charities all in desperate need for support amid the ongoing lockdown, Laura decided to still walk the 26 miles.

And she decided to do a bit of urban hiking instead around Irvine on Saturday, July 4.

Laura started at the Townhouse, went down over the Baillie bridge, down to the beach, along the harbour, up the Low Green, the Moor, then down Kilwinning Road back to the Townhouse.

She said: “It went really well. I have raised just over £1,020 as of this morning [Monday].

“It was good. The first few circuits were pouring but everybody turned up who was meant to turn up and came out to walk with me.

“I had started about 8.30am and finished about 5pm.

“There were some folk waiting for me to finish which was good.

“It was good but I was very sore, so not to be repeated but my target was £500 so raised more than double what I set out to do.

“It will make a huge difference to the charity.

“There is so many people going through it [cancer] just now.

“I have been overwhelmed by people’s support and generosity and want to thank them all personally as it

motivated to cross that finish line.

“I would also like to thank my family and friends who came to cheer me over that finish line and my walking buddies who got me through each circuit.

“I’m sure we will have made a difference to people fighting cancer.

“I am sore but also very proud of the amount raised and the distance covered.

“The charity have emailed as well to say they appreciate people still doing it, as

obviously right now the charities are really struggling and everything is cancelled.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-lawler5