An 84 year old walker determined to raise money to fight poverty globally is planning to cover over 400 kilometres during Lent even though it’s set to be one of the wettest winters on record.

Helen Robson, from Harmby, near Leyburn while a keen walker has to admit that the 10 kilometres a day, every day for 40 days is a serious commitment.

But she says she has the support of her devoted companion, a greyhound called Dane, who will be with her virtually every step of the way. And this is the third time she has done it.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Helen with Dane the greyhound stepping out on one of her 40 ten kilometre walks

Helen is doing the Big Lent Walk, which is a challenge run by CAFOD, the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development, and runs from the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday to Easter. The aim is to walk five kilometres every day but as Helen normally does more than that anyway she’s increased the challenge herself.

She added: "I began on Wednesday February 14 and did 110 kilometres by Friday February 23, exceeding my first ten day target by 10k. I’ve taken up the challenge to raise money for the overseas development fund, CAFOD and I have a Just Giving page: https://walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/helen-robson-84 

"The reason for the 84 after my name is I am 84 years old. This year’s challenge is raising funds to help to alleviate global poverty. This will be the third year that I Have accepted the challenge, which only asks partakers to walk 5k every day for 40 days, but I normally do more than that, so decided to double the distance.

"After all the rain this winter, many of the local footpaths are deep in mud, but that doesn’t put me off."

CAFOD says every £1 raised will will help fight poverty globally in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.