A WOMAN from Somerset is walking 630 miles to raise money for charity in memory of her father who died from a rare form of Leukaemia.

Nell Barrington has been walking the South West Coast Path since May 2018 to raise money for Ward Nine at Musgrove Park Hospital and Blood Cancer UK.

So far she has walked 455 miles in 79 days with her dog Luna, and is keen to continue her challenge now lockdown restrictions are easing.

Somerset County Gazette: WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH: Nell Barrington and her dog Luna

"Parts of the coastal path are terrifying (I am scared of heights), but all of it is awesome," said Nell, who lives between Bridgwater and Taunton.

"The sea around the coast of Cornwall is amazing. During one walk, I saw both a black squirrel and an adder. I've also seen a seal and dolphins playing.

"When I was at the Somerset end I could do it in day visits.

"Now I am in Cornwall and so I try to fit it around work and around friends and family and when they are available to drive me.

"I use a guidebook and spreadsheet to help me plan the journey - it has taken me lots of time to work out how to do it.

"I am definitely eating as well as walking my way along the coastal path."

Somerset County Gazette: WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH: Nell Barrington and her dog Luna

Nell is doing the challenge in memory of her father, Kit Barrington, who sadly passed away in 2010 at just 66-years-old.

"He was in Ward 9 at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and the staff there are absolutely phenomenal," added Nell.

"My dad was an amazing sportsman and he was just good at everything, he played cricket in Bridgwater and squash and I thought that he would like a challenge.

"And he loved animals as well which is why I wanted to do it with Luna.

"I think dad would be proud of me, he never did things the easy way, I think he would appreciate this.

"He would cycle to work and then cycle back a different way that was harder! So, I think he would approve."

Somerset County Gazette: WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH: Nell Barrington and her dog Luna

Sometimes Nell is joined by her friends and her family, and sometimes she walks with just Luna for company.

Nell's mum, Sally Barrington, occasionally joins Nell on her travels.

She said: "Kit would be so proud of Nell taking on this challenge to walk 630 miles to raise money for Ward 9 at Musgrove Park Hospital.

"They looked after him with such care, compassion and humour.

"He was a great one for taking on a challenge - he was told he couldn't go home after a heart bypass until he could climb one flight of stairs, and so he climbed two!

"I think Nell takes after him. I hope her trusty hound Luna can keep up with her."

Somerset County Gazette: WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH: Nell Barrington and her dog Luna

Love Musgrove, the charity accepting the donations for Ward 9 at the hospital, said they have been "thrilled" to have the ongoing support of Luna and Nell.

"Raising funds for her father Kit is such a lovely tribute and the total donated will be put to such good use on the Ward that cared for her father before his passing in 2010," added Dan Varley, Love Musgrove community fundraiser.

"The Ward 9 Team are incredibly grateful, and will use these donations to continue to make improvements to the family and visitor spaces on the Ward, as well as the garden that can make a real difference in those being cared for."

Some of the money raised will also be donated to Blood Cancer UK, a charity dedicated to funding research into cancers such as leukaemia.

Somerset County Gazette: WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH: Nell Barrington and her dog Luna

Rhia Stankovic, regional relationship manager at Blood Cancer UK, said: “We’re grateful to Nell for choosing to raise money for Blood Cancer UK in memory of her father

"Blood Cancer UK are currently funding 90 research projects that are looking to find new ways to treat and manage blood cancer, including projects trying to improve treatments for leukaemia, the type of blood cancer Nell’s dad sadly passed away from.

"With help of people like Nell, we hope that we’ll beat blood cancer within a generation.”

So far, Nell has raised £1,013.

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROSomeoneSpecialPage?pageUrl=KitBarrington.