May hopes to reign in June with epic charity pier challenge for 82nd birthday
For many, their birthday is a chance to take it easy, but for May Hamilton, who will be turning 82 at the start of June, she is set to walk 49 miles up and down Southend Pier.
That’s the same as walking 20 times up and down the world’s longest pleasure pier. And she is doing it all for three hospital charities, including Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, who have helped the Thorpe Bay resident over her lifetime.
May, who likes to keep herself active and is also a volunteer driver at Southend Hospital, said: “I’m walking the equivalent distance between Southend Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital, as these are the three hospitals that have helped me throughout my life and I wanted to give something back to say thank you.
“I wear a spinal brace, suffer from fibromyalgia, have osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, suffer from IBS and from childhood post-traumatic stress, but I firmly believe in being active and pushing myself. It’s what keeps me going.
“I’m hoping to raise £3,000, that’s £1,000 for each deserving charity. I’m not sure how long it will take me but, come rain or shine, it is a challenge I am determined to complete.”
May is no stranger to pier challenges - back in 2003 she pushed her late husband, Ken, down the 54 piers of England and Wales to raise money for the British Lung Foundation. And then, aged 75, she reached new heights by abseiling down the side of Southend Hospital's tower block.
You can support May on her epic pier walk on her Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mindbodysoulathon