A CHAGFORD women who suffers from osteoarthritis has returned from an 80-mile charity walk in the Himalayas feeling more physically and mentally fit than she has in years.
Sue Hutchings, who together with her fellow walker and sister Jan raised £7,200 for Arthritis Research, said if anyone was thinking about such a challenge they should do it!
'I did something positive and achieved it and managed to make money for other people at the same time,' she said. 'It gives you a much better feeling about the things you used to moan about before.
'It is definitely an experience not to be missed.'
Two years ago Mrs Hutchings, a farmer's wife, was walking around on crutches. By accident she saw some information about the Himalayan Challenge 2000 for Arthritis Research and made it her mission to take part if she could.
'My surgeon in Exeter and his team worked with me and fixed me up so I was fit enough to go,' she said. 'I owe it all to them and the huge amount of people who backed me up by contributing in some way or another.
'I have not felt so physically or mentally fit for a long time.'
Mrs Hutchings said all the trekkers from across the world who walked for charity in the Himalayas were benefiting the local community because they provided jobs for the Nepalese people as guides.
Money was also going into projects in Nepal as a direct result of these challenges such as rebuilding schools and hostels.
The walker said if she continued to be fit she would return to the country to see the progress 'Community Action Nepal' had made in the rebuilding, water and sanitation projects.