Carolyn Asher of Meadows Crescent in Honiton is a woman on a mission.
She is taking on seven strength-sapping physical challenges in the next 12 months in order to raise funds for charity and raise awareness of her commitment to exercise as a means of combating chronic health problems.
Carolyn has already knocked off challenge number one – a virtual moonwalk for breast cancer research. Walking for nine hours and 35 minutes she completed the 26.2 mile test of endurance in and around Honiton – including Hembury Fort Hill and Egland Hill.
Carolyn said: “My prime interest is in how exercise/physical activity can help people manage chronic health issues when medicines and surgery don’t have viable options, and this is the need I want to serve.
“I’ve been using this strategy for the last 20 years and it has literally saved my life as well as making it way better than it would have been. I therefore feel I have knowledge, experience and skills I can and want to share. My plan is to offer an advisory service, which certainly won’t be a ‘medical service’ but its foundation will be fun, sustainable, appropriate fitness and encouraging and enabling people to build this into their life, enhancing its quality.”
She said after Saturday’s gruelling walk: “Somehow I managed to include both Hembury Fort Hill and Egland Hill in my route, which was good practice for event number two, Mont Blanc Mountain Trail on June 27. I also encountered a puddle masquerading as a lake!
“However, as it was a sunshine and showers day, the colours within the landscape and the amazing changes in lighting provided me with endless spectacular views. Throughout, I felt extremely privileged to live in such a truly beautiful part of the world.”
You can support Carolyn by visiting
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarolynJAsher
Of her ambitions, she said: “Ambitious yes, but I think it’s also possible and the prime objectives are to create a service which benefits people in terms of well-being whilst raising as much money for charity in the process, not least because charities have been especially hard hit during the pandemic.”
Carolyn said: “My prime interest is in how exercise/physical activity can help people manage chronic health issues when medicines and surgery don’t have viable options, and this is the need I want to serve.
“I’ve been using this strategy for the last 20 years and it has literally saved my life as well as making it way better than it would have been. I therefore feel I have knowledge, experience and skills I can and want to share. My plan is to offer an advisory service, which certainly won’t be a ‘medical service’ but its foundation will be fun, sustainable, appropriate fitness and encouraging and enabling people to build this into their life, enhancing its quality.”

Planned events, dates and causes are:
15 May Virtual London Moonwalk Breast Cancer Research
27 June Mt Blanc Mountain Trail Mental Health/Suicide Prevention
25 July Bedford Autodrome Climate Change
7 August Thames Meander COVID-19/Vaccination in less wealthy countries
5 September South Coast Challenge Parkinson’s disease research
3 October Virgin London Marathon Enabling sport for those with a disability
7 November 50th New York Marathon Disadvantaged children globally