East Preston woman battles through pain of severe joint condition for charity walk

Karen Challis, 48, was unable to complete her 29-mile walking challenge due to her severe psoriatic arthritis but is proud to have raised £441 to help the charity to drive improvements in neonatal care.

Her niece Alice was born prematurely at 27 weeks and is now five, thanks to BLISS. Alice’s father, Karen’s twin Steve Gray, joined her for the Reach The Peak Challenge, walking a 29-mile circuit in Sussex and Surrey.

Karen said: “Doing this walk meant so much to me for a few reasons. First, BLISS is amazing in how it supports families who are going through such a painful experience with their babies. I knew my pain from this walk would be nothing compared to what these families are going through and that thought pushed me through.

“Second, my condition limits what I’m able to do but I am determined not to let it stop me from achieving new goals. I simply will not to let my condition define me or let it dictate how much of my life I can enjoy.

“Finally, to do this amazing journey with my brother is such a wonderful memory to treasure.”

The walk was the equivalent distance of the UK’s tallest peaks combined - Ben Nevis at 11.5 miles, Snowdon at 9.5 miles and Scafell Pike at 8 miles. The twins started at Bewbush and carried on to Tilgate, Maidenbower, Horley, Charlwood and then back around to Crawley.

Karen’s progressive and chronic condition causes her agony on a daily basis and she set off at 6.30am with sciatica from the start, causing intense pain by the fourth mile.

The twins reached Horley railway station at 11.7 miles and by this time, Karen’s left hip had really started to cause her discomfort. By mile 13, she resigned to the fact she was going to have to use her walking stick but that did not stop her.

Karen made it all the way to Three Bridges at mile 23 and it was there, unfortunately, that she had to stop. Both hips and her right knee gave way on stairs to the toilet and she had to stop the challenge before permanent damage was caused.

Steve, who was walking for Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, battled on, completing the final six miles a couple of hours later.

Karen’s fundraising was given a boost by her proud employer, Sussex property lettings and management specialist PS&B, which donated £150.

Michael Barber, director, said: “Karen has been part of the PS&B family for a few years now, working from our Brighton and Bognor offices.

“We are obviously aware of the pain she suffers on a daily basis due to her condition, so when we heard she was undertaking this 29-mile challenge we couldn’t quite believe it.

“There is no doubt that she is one determined lady and although she was gutted not to have completed those final few miles, we couldn’t be prouder. We were delighted to be able to increase her fundraising for a brilliant charity.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/twinchallengekaren2020 to support Karen and make a donation.

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