Kathryn Mays completed 14 hikes to honour the 14 female mayors of Newark to coincide with International Women’s Day, raising funds for Newark Women’s Aid and Newark Food Bank

After weeks of hikes, treks, and mountainous challenges, a Newark woman has completed her final quest to raise funds and support causes close to her heart.

Kathryn Mays completed 14 hikes to honour the 14 female mayors of Newark on Saturday (March 8) to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Her previous 13 challenges have seen her take on tough treks including a 35km Edale Skyline challenge 35k in an amber weather warning on New Year’s Day, climbing Mt Snowdon on March 1 to celebrate her 50th birthday, 35km around both Clumber Park and Rutland Water, and Derwent Edges in icy conditions.

On what was an unseasonably warm day, Kathryn set out from Newark at 7am with five supporters and the blessing of Newark Mayor Diane Ledger, whom Kathryn first met 20 years ago while receiving support from Newark Women’s Aid and have remained best friends ever since.

They set out on a route created by Kev Parnham of Mountain & Moor Adventures with new supporters joining in along the way. Starting in the town centre, Kathryn and the team headed out to Brough and then across to Stapleford Woods and Barnby in the Willows, where they stopped for a well deserved lunch.

Then it was on to Balderton, then Middlebeck, and then Sconce and Devon Park before finishing back at the town hall just before tea time — an impressive 50km to mark 50 years of Newark Women’s Aid.

“We were met by so many people at Sconce Park, it was so lovely and they were full of high energy to keep us going after a long day,” Kathryn said.

Kev Parnham and Councillor Keith Girling provided support throughout the day with water and food stops to help the ladies pack as lightly as possible on their trek.

Kathryn was also aiming raise £1,000 to support the Mayor’s chosen charities — Newark Women’s Aid and Newark Food Bank — and so far has raised more than double that amount with the current total standing at £2,600 on her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/team/kathryn-mays-14-hike-challenge

After finishing back in Newark town centre on Saturday, Kathryn and her supporters then attended the Mayor’s Disco at the town hall.

“I wasn’t off the dance floor all night, I don’t know how I did it!” Kathryn laughed, “It was basically a three hour workout!”

The disco, hosted by Radio Newark, saw an appeal to the community for donations of Easter eggs and sanitary products for the women and children in Newark’s refuge, as well as a grand raffle, which raised £600.

“I saw boxes and boxes of sanitary products and Easter eggs at the disco which was amazing, people have given so generously,” Kathryn added.

She also bravely shared her own story of fleeing domestic abuse at the disco.

After dancing the night away, Kathryn said that she did put her feet up on Sunday for a well-deserved rest.