Fresh target for 94-year-old in hospice challenge

A 94-year-old man who challenged himself to walk 100 miles before his 95th birthday has set himself a new target after reaching his goal with two months to spare.

Smudge Smith from Telford started on 3 July with the aim of supporting Severn Hospice and has so far raised more than £3,000 for the charity.

He chose the hospice because of the support it gave his late wife, Margaret, and said: "I will remain eternally grateful for everything the team did for her."

So far, he has completed 135 miles and said he was now looking at reaching 200.

He has been supported by staff from his retirement home and the hospice as well as family and friends.

His son, David Smith, said he had no doubts he would complete the challenge.

"Once he says he's going to do something, he'll do it," he said.

Rowan, his grandson, said the heat was not a worry and "he generally knows his limits".

Both said they were very proud of him.

Nicky Green, senior community fundraiser at the hospice, said he was an "inspiration" and added: "Without people like Smudge we can't carry on providing the care that we do."

Claire Przybylski-Garry, from Frizes Leasowe, where the 94-year-old lives, said: "It's been brilliant to see his determination and enthusiasm throughout the challenge."

Because of the extreme heat over the summer, the walker has been setting off just after 06:00 every morning and said the weather had been "marvellous".

But the recent heavy rain has been less welcome.

He said: "Initially I thought it would be easy, but since the weathers broken its become more difficult because I got soaked yesterday. It came down like stair rods."

His original plan had been to continue walking until his birthday on 14 October, but he admitted he enjoys walking and said: "We'll see what happens, if I feel like it yes, I'll do some more walking."

He said he wanted to do whatever he could for the people at Severn Hospice.

But he added: "A lot of people say it's in memory of my wife because she passed away there, but my wife is always in my memory and anybody who's ever met her shell be in their memory, because she was lovely."

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