A TEENAGER and her friend have completed a mammoth walking feat to raise thousands of pounds for her mum's specialist stroke care.

Alice Boston and Hannah Durkin from Ambleside walked 40 miles with 4,300 ft of ascent around the Lake District on January 2. Setting out at 4am at Pier Cottage Caravan Park, Coniston, the pair finished 14 hours later in Ambleside.

The determined friends walked along Coniston Water, over Tarn Hows to Black Fell, Skelwith Bridge, up to Red Bank and then to Grasmere before heading along and around Thirlmere before heading back through Grasmere towards Dove Cottage, Rydal and finishing in Ambleside.

The Westmorland Gazette: FINISHED: Hannah and Alice at the finish lineFINISHED: Hannah and Alice at the finish line

“It was rewarding but tough,” said Miss Boston.

“When we were at Thirlmere it was really hard because we’d come so far but then there was so much still to go.

“That was a mental challenge but there was also the physical pain as well.

“It was a relief when we finished I don’t think we could have gone any further.”

The Westmorland Gazette: WALKING:Black Fell in Skelwith Bridge over a quarter of the way into the walkWALKING:Black Fell in Skelwith Bridge over a quarter of the way into the walk

The walk was in aid of Miss Boston’s mum, Wendy Yates, who suffered from a stroke in August after caring for her terminally ill mother.

Money raised will fund specialist care for Ms Yates at stroke rehabilitation centre STEPS in Sheffield.

STEPS would provide an intensive course of physiotherapy, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, medical care, and music therapy to aid with the Coniston Primary School teacher’s rehabilitation in a programme spanning six to eight weeks.

So far, over £16,000 has been raised, enough to pay for just over two weeks at the centre.

“It’s amazing I never expected it at all,” said Miss Boston.

“Thank you to the community, all those who have donated and our MP Tim Farron for his support.”

The University of Birmingham student said her mum felt overwhelmed by the community’s support and that she is very proud of her daughter’s achievement.

“She’s very overwhelmed by people’s reactions and support and she’s doing the proud mum thing,” she said.

If you would like to donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alice-boston