THE FAMILY and friends of a young Harpenden woman who died suddenly last year completed a challenging 24-hour trek around the Isle of Wight earlier this month.

The nine walkers battled high winds to take on the 100km route around the island to raise funds in memory of paramedic Lorna Lambden.

Lorna, of Globe Close, was just 27 when she died on December 17 last year.

Her accidental death was believed to have been caused by medication she had been taking to deal with bouts of insomnia and subsequent dips in her energy levels.

The medication, purchased over the internet, can stop the heart if taken in excess.

Lorna had taken just a couple more than the recommended amount and suffered a cardiac arrhythmia. She was found by her police officer boyfriend with her favourite film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, playing on DVD.

Her heartbroken family embarked on the challenge, named Doogle’s Dawdle – Doogle was Lorna’s nickname within her family – to raise funds for London Air Ambulance and the RNLI lifeboat appeal. So far they have raised over �2,400 for the charities which were incredibly important to Lorna.

Lorna was known for her love of challenges, completing the London Marathon and trekking to Everest Base Camp. Her sister Heather Lambden said the challenge of walking 100km would have been right up Lorna’s street.

Their father Roy said the weather had been quite a challenge but a good support crew had been on hand throughout.

Two members of the group were forced to retire after 16 hours and over 40 miles, and a few more bowed out after 50 miles but all were reunited at the finish line when the three remaining walkers completed the 65-mile trek and a glass was raised in Lorna’s memory.

To donate to the fundraising page, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/roundiow