Newark woman Kathryn Mays takes on hiking challenge to honour Newark’s 14 female mayors and raise money for Newark Women’s Aid and Newark Food Bank
A remarkable woman has been battling the elements on a hiking challenge to honour Newark’s female Mayors and support causes close to her heart.
Kathryn Mays, of Newark, is just one step away from completing 14 hikes to honour the 14 women who have served as the Mayor of Newark ahead of International Women’s Day.
As part of the challenge Kathryn set out to raise £1,000 to support the current Mayor of Newark, Diane Ledger’s chosen charities — Newark Women’s Aid and Newark Food Bank — and so far has more than doubled her target.
Kathryn first met Diane 20 years ago while receiving support from the women’s refuge and have remained best friends ever since.
It was this experience and friendship that inspired the challenge after Diane was made Mayor in 2024.
Before Diane, the previous female Mayors of Newark were: Kate Quibell (1957) Alice Baker (1958) Elizabeth Yorke (1973) Jean Moore (1980 and 1999) Maureen Dobson (1981) Val Picker (1990) Joan Whicher (1997) Doreen Westmoreland (1998)Marika Tribe (2006) Rita Crowe (2009 and 2017) Irene Brown (2012, 2019 and 2020) Lisa Geary (2021) and Pamela Ball (2023).
Kathryn began her challenge before dawn on New Year’s Day, battling the wind and rain to complete a 19 miles trek in Edale.
Since then her challenge has taken her through the Peaks, to the Lake District, climbed Mount Snowdon on her 50th birthday, and fought through wintry conditions to the summit of Scafell Pike — the tallest mountain in England — where it was -10C.
The final hike will take place in Newark on International Women’s Day, on Sunday, March 8.
Kathryn plans to finish big, and alongside a support team, will walk 50k around in and around Newark, starting from Newark Town Hall at 7am.
She will follow the River Trent, pass through Collingham and Brough, before looping around to take in Coddington, Barnby in the Willows, Balderton, Hawton, and Farndon, and aims to finish back where she started on the steps of Newark Town Hall by sunset.
It will be a marathon effort to close off two months of tough challenges, and all will be welcome to drop by, show their support, or even join in during the final 5km walk from Sconce and Devon Park to the finish.
“I’ve always hiked, starting from family holidays as a child,” said Kathryn. “It’s in my DNA, it’s a part of who I am.
“Strangely I’ve always found the flat to be the most difficult, so the last one will be a real challenge.
“It’s taken a long time, with a lot of preparation, and a lot of support, but there’s a sense of relief that I’ve made it this far considering some of the weather we’ve had and I’m looking forward to the end.”
She added: “Me and Diane first met when we were supported by Women’s Aid, and without them I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing and Diane wouldn’t be mayor.
“I also did a no food hike in support of the food bank which was not easy, but I wanted to highlight that for so many people, if the food bank wasn’t there, they have to make really difficult decisions.
“For many women coming out of the refuge too, they end up skipping meals and prioritise making sure their children eat.
“So I feel proud that I’ve done this challenge and raised a couple of grand for these two important charities, which sadly will always be needed.”
Anyone interested in donating can support Kathryn’s challenge here: www.justgiving.com/team/kathryn-mays-14-hike-challenge
Immediately after the final hike through Newark, Kathryn will swap her hiking books for dancing shoes to take part in the Mayor’s Annual Charity Ball, also to raise funds for Newark Women’s Aid and the Newark Food Bank.
Kev Parnham, of Mountain and More, also provided support by helping to plan hiking routes and logistics.
