A DOCTOR who grew up in Monkton Heathfield and works at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital is walking 630 miles to raise money for charity.

Rosie Lugg, who has been working as a locum in the paediatric department, will be off work along with fellow doctor Vanessa Hayden, who is accompanying her on the marathon challenge.

The two, who did their training together, set off from Minehead on April 26 and have now passed Land's End on their way to Poole on the South West Coastal Path.

They have been walking an average of 15 miles a day, with the odd break to recover and treat their blisters.

So far they have raised around £1,500 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which promotes screening of young people to prevent deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions.

Trish Lugg, mother of Rosie, who was educated at West Monkton Primary and Heathfield Schools and Richard Huish College, said: "She's never done anything like this before.

"They're carrying heavy rucksacks and wearing CRY T-shirts, which is a charity she strongly supports.

"People are stopping them and asking them about CRY and just donating.

"Rosie and Vanessa worked very hard before they started and they're not being paid while they're walking. They won't be going back to work until after they finish on July 4.

"I'm very proud of them as overall they will ascend the equivalent height of Mount Everest four times and walk the equivalent of Taunton to the northern highlands of Scotland.

"Along the way they have met some amazing people, who have provided accommodation and donated to CRY. Many of these are complete strangers and the girls have been blown away by people’s generosity."

To sponsor the walk, visit justgiving.com/RosieandVanessa or contact Trish Lugg on 01823-412280 or 07455-227450.