Woman spends five years on global charity walk
4:03pm Wednesday 30th July 2008
A WOMAN who has spent nearly five years running almost 7,000 miles around the world to raise awareness of cancer has passed through South Lakeland.
Rosie Swale-Pope, 61, began her global run in October 2003 following the death of her husband, Clive, from prostate cancer.
She has run through central Europe, across Russia, including Siberia, Alaska, Canada, the United States and Greenland.
She passed through Kendal on Thursday, July 24, pulling a bright yellow trailer, in which she sleeps, and spent the following day in Milnthorpe.
Despite having spent the last five years running through places of such renowned beauty as the Rocky Mountains and Alaska, Rosie still saved some special praise for South Lakeland.
“I think this is an amazing part of the world,” she said. “It is gorgeous, people are so nice and life is so easy.”
Her trip - paid for from renting her home, her pension and writing for a running magazine - has been eventful. She faced being followed by packs of hungry wolves and bears, among other hazards, though none of these dangers deterred her from continuing her quest to raise people’s awareness of cancer.
“This is about cancer awareness and looking after yourself because the best present you can give your family is a healthy you,” she said. “It is very important to check things early – 12,000 people die from prostate cancer each year.”
Alan Gent, of Sellside, saw Rosie as she entered Morrisons car park, in Kendal, for a rest.
“She was going into Morrisons car park with this extraordinary trailer,” he said. “She strolled in as if she had just started on a walk.
“The astonishing thing is that she has been walking round the world and she was as fresh as could be.
“It was a privilege to meet her. I came away feeling very inspired by her.”
Rosie is aiming to return to her home in Tenby, South Wales, by August 25 where there will be a huge welcome home party.