SO GRATEFUL she is for all Mountbatten Hospice did to ensure her dad was comfortable at home at his life's end, a Shanklin woman aims to repay their kindness by raising funds walking around the Isle of Wight this weekend.

Penny Langborne, of Hollybrooke Close, has devoted herself to taking on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge on behalf of the care charity.

The challenge will see Penny, 40, walk around the Island — a distance of 62 miles — in memory of her father, Dr John Smith, a highly respected consultant and Head of Pathology at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

He died at his home last year.

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"In support of a charity close to my heart, I will be attempting something I may later regret," said Penny, a former veterinary nurse. 

"My charity of choice, Mountbatten, gave us wonderful help, support and advice when my father was needing end of life care.

"They helped us to keep our wish of supporting him at home until the end. 

"I know this won’t be the only time we need them, so we are grateful to have them so close by at a desperate time of need."

Penny said she found the positives outweighed the negatives when she trained for it.

"I recently completed my final training walk of 45 miles and, although sore, I’m loving every minute of walking around our beautiful Island," she said.

"I am looking forward to doing the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge — but also dreading it. The Isle of Wight is such a beautiful place, which is why I've decided to walk it rather than run, so I can take it all in."

So far, the mum-of-two — who set up a JustGiving fundraising page — has raised £672 so far, but wants Islanders to give more generously to the worthy cause as she clocks up the miles.

"Please help me to help them by sparing a little cash if you can," Penny adds.

To make a donation, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-smith326?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=john-smith326&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=bec2b53f077a4b5daf961be887bfb310