Commander Jane Allen is marking her retirement from the Royal Naval Reserve by undertaking an incredible 5,500-mile round Britain charity walk.
Having set off from HMS Victory in Portsmouth in October 2017, the Victory Walk sees Jane trekking anti-clockwise around the country in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust.
Jane recently hit the 3,551-mile mark at Gretna when she crossed the western border back into England (pictured, above). She had arrived in Scotland at the end of April having walked 1,368 miles from Portsmouth. Her Scottish odyssey lasted almost six months and has seen her walk 2,183 miles and wear out four pairs of boots, while the Victory Van covered 3,957 Scottish miles in support.
Jane said: “I assess I’ve still got at least another 2,000 miles to walk before getting back to Pompey – this equates to another Scotland walk, but I’m hoping the next 2,000 miles will be easier!”
Jane at HM Naval Base Clyde.
Part of the Scottish leg of her travels saw her trekking through HM Naval Base Clyde where uniformed and civilian personnel cheered her along. They also dug deep, contributing £316 towards the good causes.
Accompanying Jane on her journey in the support vehicle is husband, Frank – a former Royal Marine.
“Between us, Frank and I have almost 70 years’ service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, from Aden to Afghanistan,” said Jane.
“The Victory Walk seemed a good way of marking the end of my career, by taking on a year’s challenge and ‘giving back’. This is the ultimate challenge for me.”
Jane and Frank will now continue down the west coast with the final stretch involving walking the South West Coastal Path as she heads back towards HMS Victory in Portsmouth where she hopes to arrive in the Spring of 2019.
To sponsor Jane on her Victory Walk visit: Virginmoneygiving.com/victorywalk17-18 or visit the website at: www.victorywalk.uk.
