A BRIDGWATER woman is taking on the challenge of a lifetime for charity in memory of her father.

Ruth Chilcott, 56, will set off on a walk which will take her from Bridgwater Methodist Church on Monmouth Street, to the upper reaches of Scotland, a total of more than 660 miles.

Ruth is taking on the epic trek in memory of her father Herbert Granter, who suffered with dementia in his later years.

Herbert joined the Royal Navy in the Second World War as was mainly based on the Island of Hoy in the Orkney Islands.

It was there he set up a small chapel on the island, and this will be Ruth’s destination on her epic journey.

“My dad grew up in Somerset, he was an active member of the Methodist Church in Bridgwater, an enthusiastic footballer and avid cricket fan and player,” said Ruth.

“The Methodist Church in Bridgwater was a central part of my father’s life and has been a constant in the lives of myself, my siblings and children. “Over the past few years we sat in those pews and celebrated my daughter’s marriage, my great-nephews christening and my dad and mum’s lives.

“Loving someone with dementia means that sometimes you forget who they were before.

“So this is a walk is to remember who my dad was and all that he gave us and the people who loved him.”

Ruth has planned her own route and has been training hard over the past year to prepare herself for her test of endurance.

She has already been pledged more than £2,000 in sponsorship which will go toward her chosen charities, Dementia UK and the Admiral Nurses.

Ruth will be setting off on her journey from the Methodist Church on Sunday, March 31.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support I have had so far, and it gives me such a lot of motivation to do this,” Ruth said.

“My only slight concern is getting lost as I don’t have the best sense of direction but I have taken a lot of time to work out how the route will work.”

Her task is expected to take her 39 days, and you can follow her progress on her Facebook page, ‘Ruth’s walk from Bridgwater to Lyness’, where you will also find a link to her Just Giving page.

Ruth is a member of the Bridgwater Rock Choir, and will be staying with members from various Rock Choirs on her route, as well as members of the civil service and the church.

She has also sent off various useful supplies to various stops along the route.

On her rest days she is volunteering for local causes wherever she may be, for example she is volunteering with the Salvation Army when she reaches Lockerbie.

Ruth’s daughter Michelle will join her for a few days of walking.

Michelle said: “This is such a tough challenge and an amazing feat. My family and I are all so proud of her.”

Ruth, who works as a civil servant, has saved up her holiday for two years to undertake her adventure.