Wigan mum's all-night hike raises hundreds of pounds for NHS

Cat DAscendis set off from her home in Bickershaw when the sun set at 9.47pm last Saturday week to mark the summer solstice.

She walked 5km laps throughout the night, joined at times by friends and family, until the sun rose at 4.44am.

Despite enduring rain for most of the walk, Cat managed to cover just over 27 miles.

The 38-year-old took on the challenge to raise money for the NHS, recognising the efforts of staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

It was particularly important to her as her sister, who works as a nurse, contracted Covid-19 and has since recovered.

Cat had hoped to raise £200, but donations to an online appeal have already reached £246.

She said: “I was concerned I would get tired, but actually I really enjoyed it. I had the support of my daughters and also I had a few people unexpectedly turn up to do some laps with me which was a fantastic boost. Really pleased to have made the fund-raising target as well.”

The active account manager did not stop there, as she had cycled a half marathon that morning and later did three miles with her daughter to ensure she did not stiffen up!

Cat enjoys taking on physical challenges to push herself and raise money for good causes.

In 2017 she set the world record for the fastest female to run a marathon dressed as the gingerbread man, which she did at the London marathon, and claimed the half marathon world record later that year.

She wore the gingerbread costume in several races, including the Wigan 10k, and raised money for charity Burning Nights in honour of a friend suffering from complex regional pain syndrome.

Donations to NHS Charities Together can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cat-dascendis3.

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