Derbyshire woman set to complete 1,000-mile national parks challenge

A woman from Derbyshire has reached the last leg of her challenge to walk 1,000 miles (1,609km) across all 10 of England's National Parks in 10 weeks.

Jen Lowthrop began her journey, which has taken her from Dartmoor in Devon to Northumberland, in August and is set to complete it in the Peak District National Park within hours.

The 38-year-old, from Matlock, hopes to raise £10,000 for the Peak District National Park Foundation.

She is chairman of the charity.

The money she is raising will fund conservation projects as well as being used to encourage more people to visit the park.

Ms Lowthrop, who has been accompanied by her dog Cookie for much of her walk, said it had been a tiring but rewarding experience.

"It has been great. I may have added about 10 years to my knees going down hills and I have got a small click in my hip but I am told that is nothing to worry about," she said.

"There have been some pretty hairy moments, from being cornered by over 30 young cows to getting lost on the never-ending rainy moorlands.

"The highest point physically and emotionally was reaching the summit of Scafell Pike in the Lake District on my own, clambering across giant boulders and up steep scree paths in thick cloud to be greeted with 360 degree views when I reached the top.

"I want to do more for our national parks, especially around access. I am so privileged to have grown up within the Peak District and it's taken all this walking to make me realise how much it has made me the person I am today."

The final stretch of her journey be between Sheen and Callow Hall, near Ashbourne.

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