A determined volunteer walked 500 miles over five weeks from France to Spain to raise money for a Mansfield charity, despite a bad fall.

Joy Lowe has been helping Hetty’s — which offers support for families across Nottinghamshire who are affected by a loved one’s substance misuse — for more than a year.

Usually she is part of the team on the charity’s helpline, taking calls from families needing support.

However, Joy is also keen to help Hetty’s in other ways and has undertaken two major fundraising challenges for the cause.

In 2021 she faced her fear and jumped out of a plane from 14,000 feet for a fundraising skydive.

This year she left her loved ones behind for five weeks to undertake the tough 500-mile pilgrimage from St Jean de Pied in France to Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Joy was initially walking with her brother, but his pace was too fast for her. However, she made friends with an intensive care nurse from Sweden and the two kept each other company over the gruelling miles.

On the second day, Joy fell while trying to dodge people taking photographs, badly bruising her arm and shoulder.

Despite the fall also triggering nose bleeds and dizzy spells, Joy carried on, determined to complete the challenge.

Her new friend proved invaluable as she helped Joy dress her wounds and took care of her while they walked.

Joy said: “It was fantastic to meet so many amazing people from all over the world. On the first night we were all together it was like being in the United Nations!”

When asked why she volunteers and undertakes these difficult and sometimes gruelling challenges, Joy added: “Hetty’s is such a worthwhile charity and one that has helped my own family as well as many others.

“They give tremendous support, as well as giving hope for the future. They are literally a lifeline to families who are living with a substance user. Without Hetty’s I would be in a very different place.”

If you would like to donate to Joy’s fundraising effort, go to her JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joy-lowe2

Hetty’s is always looking for people like Joy to join as a volunteer in a variety of roles. To find out more contact Vicki on 01623 643476 or email [email protected]