A TALENTED golfer who got into the swing of walking with friends during lockdown, has raised more than £3,000 after completing a mammoth 30-mile walk.

Sherrie Edwards climbed to six different trig points surrounding her home in Builth Wells last month – walking more than a marathon and ascending the equivalent of two of Britain’s tallest peaks.

Sherrie undertook the tough trek as she wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday in style, while raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity that’s close to her heart.

Sherrie’s stunning effort was completed in a little under 11 hours, starting and ending at her front door on Saturday, May 22.

The mum-of-three, who turns 40 next month, calculated that the climb – taking in trig points atop Aberedw Hill, Carneddau, Rhosferig/Dolyrerw, Moelfre, Pant-y-Llyn Hill and Garth Hill – would include 2,324 metres of ascent, which is one metre higher than Ben Nevis (at 1,345m the tallest summit in the UK) and Scafell Pike (978m), which total 2,323m. The two summits are part of the notorious Three Peaks Challenge, which also includes Snowdon.

“Well, I did it. 10 hours and 45 minutes of walking, starting and finishing at my front door, taking in the six trig points, covering 30.4 miles and scaling the height of Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike combined,” said a triumphant Sherrie.

And while her grandmother Joyce Davies and close friend Amanda Lindesay – both of whom suffered with Motor Neurone Disease – may well have been looking down fondly on Sherrie during the walk, the weather certainly was not in the lead-up to it.

“It rained all day long on the Friday so opening the curtains at 5.30am, seeing no rain and the sun rising, was a welcome sight,” added Sherrie.

“I started the walk at 6am, accompanied by my dad Melvyn Hughes and a good friend of mine Donna Heatlie. Along the way I was joined by further family and friends including my mum, husband, sister and children. I think nan and Mandy were looking down on me on the day as the weather was just perfect.

“I am extremely grateful to all of the farmers that gave me permission to walk on their land, some even came and opened the gates for me at 7.30am. I would like to thank The Bug Out, Builth Wells, who donated my walking boots for the day. Big thanks to the local press and advertising magazine Around and About in Builth Wells, all of whom have given me great publicity leading to further donations being made.”

To date, Sherrie, who originally hoped to raise £1,000, has amassed £3,036, plus £410 in gift aid.

“I have previously fundraised for the MNDA through charity golf events and raffles but I did not imagine raising over £3,000 with this challenge but I am so happy and can't thank everyone enough,” Sherrie said.

“I have requested for the money to be split between ongoing research and for direct support to be given to sufferers and their families in their time of need.”

Sherrie’s Just Giving page will remain open until June 22 so there’s still time to top up her total. You can visit the page and donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sherrie-Edwards.

and donations can also still be handed in at the pro shop at Builth Wells Golf Club.

You can also watch a video of Sherrie’s trek, at https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq579QQx8O.