Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, a Pembrokeshire-based charity, supporting people living in the final stages of a life limiting illness, recently met with Nel Moore on the beach at Freshwater East to collect a donation from a fundraising event.

With her 60th birthday looming on February 3, Nel decided to set herself a robust physical challenge.

Freshwater East dunes and beach proved to be the ideal location with a super scenic lap which could be done 60 times. Thus the 60@60 challenge was born.

With the weather forecast being dry, and without too much wind, February 2 was chosen for the challenge.

Nel started walking at 6.30 am and finished 17.5 hours, and 55.3 miles later, just before her actual birthday.

Throughout the day Nel received fantastic support from friends, and family, who cheered, brought cakes, and walked laps with her.

All in all, Nel only walked 10 laps alone, for all other laps she was accompanied by friends. Some joined for one or two laps, whilst others did as much as 20 with her (thank you Brent Davies)!

During the final hours in the dark, Nel was joined by Steve Hart and Steve Kennedy. They made sure she finished before 12 and got home safely.

“Her fundraising made an amazing amount of money and we are grateful to receive the £3,212,” said Paul Lister, a trustee of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

“Nel has undertaken an awesome fundraising challenge and we are very grateful to her and all who supported her.

“This generous donation will help to sustain our end of life care services to the people of Pembrokeshire. A huge thank you to Nel and we wish her a very Happy Birthday.”

Nel commented: “David and I moved to Pembrokeshire, and Freshwater East five years ago.

“We love the area and the people, so I felt it was fitting to do a birthday challenge to celebrate the beauty of the area and give something back.

“The challenge was hard, but the support I received from everybody was amazing. It absolutely kept me going through the seventeen-and-a-half hours of walking. A big thank you from me to all my friends!”