Snapping up charity cash

Diane Allen is walking the equivalent of the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

The 37-year-old is walking seven miles a day for 124 days and will do six miles on her last day – July 1 – to make up the 874 miles.

Diane said: “I like exercising, but if I can get out of it I will, but when you’re doing it for a challenge, it forces you to do it.”

Some of the distance will be covered on a treadmill at Diane’s Ossett home, whilst some of the miles will be made up on dog walks.

Diane, who is a photographer for the Reporter Series, will also complete some of the challenge by walking to some of her work appointments.

In 2010 Diane swam the equivalent of the Channel and raised more than £650 for Bowel Cancer UK as a thank you for the care her father, Robert Cocker, received from the charity.

This time Diane is backing the British Lung Foundation as her dad also has COPD.

“Him and my mum love that I’m doing it. They like it when I’m taking part in fundraisers,” said Diane.

Diane was spurred on to do the challenge after she took part in a 5k race for Cancer Research at Bramham Park last year. She plans to complete the race again this year with her husband, Roy, and daughter, Aimie, 10, but with a faster time.

Diane is collecting sponsorship and has a charity tin at the Reporter office in Wellington Road, Dewsbury.

She said: “It all helps whatever you can raise and it’s going to a good cause and it’s going to help my fitness.”

The last six miles Diane covers will lead her to her parent’s house in Ossett where she will be greeted by her family and cross a finish line across the garden gate.

Diane said: “Then we’ll have a party and a Sunday roast!”