Nordic walking enthusiasts managed to collectively walk a whopping 226.69 miles in a fundraising effort for the Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support charity (ALSC), raising over £1,000.

Melanie Harvey, a Nordic walking instructor, who leads walks of varying lengths and difficulty throughout the Lyme Bay region, organised the charitable week of walks.

This dedicated week of Nordic walks started with a circular trip from Charmouth and over Conegar Hill.

Walk number two saw participants take in the vista of the Chedington area, with the regular Friday outing, normally shorter and 'easier', staging a scenic procession around Axminster.

A challenging trip along the Jurassic Coast from Cogden Beach to Charmouth was the penultimate walk, and the grand finale began at the ALCS HQ in Axminster, concluding with a glass of fizz and cakes at the ALCS beach hut on Lyme Regis seafront.

Founder of the ALCS, Mary Kahn, established it in 2018, following her brush with breast cancer, and the charity has been offering assistance to those living with and beyond the disease ever since.

Ms Kahn felt that although there was some great support available online and further afield, having a network of support locally was missing.

The charity runs regular meetings in both Axminster and Lyme Regis, featuring programmes incorporating creative activities, holistic therapies, dieting advice, various exercise classes, and meetings for peer support.

As of August 2023, the charity has seen over 530 people register for support.

Mutual support is also available for anyone affected by cancer, giving them the chance to unwind over a cup of tea and alleviate the fear, stress, and loneliness cancer often inflicts.

Crucially, ALCS also presents an opportunity for clients to book their Beach Hut in Lyme Regis, and enjoy a therapeutic day by the sea.

Meanwhile, Lyme Bay Nordic Walking offers walks in the Lyme Bay region - to the west from Seaton and the east around the Bridport area.