Woman aged 95 braves bad weather to complete seven and half mile Eastbourne walk

The 95-year-old resident from the Bernard Baron Care Home in Polegate had been training over several months to complete the long walk and refused to let the strong winds and inclement conditions ruin her plan. She even walked further than her original six-mile goal; accompanied on the walk by Maria Sinclair, one of the activities co-ordinators at the home.

“Earlier in the year at bluebell time I was with a group from Bernhard Baron on two outings to see the bluebells,” said Elizabeth. “On the second occasion I said to Maria that I would really like to do a longer walk, with the support of my walking wheeler, to see if I could reach the River Cuckmere. Maria came with me and on our return we had walked just under two miles, which at the time amazed her!

“From this sprung the idea of seeing what we could achieve by the sea along Eastbourne promenade, where the paths are flatter and easier.”

During the summer Elizabeth and Maria set off on a series of walks, increasing the distance each time from the first 2.5-mile outing.

“We both enjoyed these walks immensely, even though the weather was notalways kind,” said Elizabeth, who has been a keen walker for many years and moved to Bernhard Baron four years ago at the age of 91. At one time she regularly embarked on walking holidays, both in the UK and abroad, with a friend or on organised walking holidays.

“Nowadays, because of my poor balance, the walking wheeler is essential if I am to feel safe,” she said. “I have surprised myself that my stamina level still seems to be so good, so all credit to the staff here that made it possible for me to do this. We plan to go again in the New Year, so who knows what might happen!”

Bernhard Baron Care Home Manager Jan Andrews said: “We encourage our residents to be independent and active and have a circular walking path around our grounds. Elizabeth is a real inspiration and she carried on with the walk on a day when a lot of people would have given up.”