St Albans woman facing 70km walking and cycling challenge for charity

A St Albans woman will be putting a spring in her step for a charity challenge over five days.

Frances Longley will be walking and cycling 70km during just one working week as part of the Spring Step Challenge in aid of Amref Health Africa UK.

She is currently the chief executive of the charity, which works to bring health care, services, and frontline medical staff to people in more than 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The money she raises will go specifically towards Amref's Health in Her Hands campaign, which highlights nurses, midwives and volunteers in Africa who walk a combined 70km a week as part of their jobs.

"I'll be walking and cycling all week as I go about my work, covering distances inspired by the real daily journeys of health workers and patients in areas where Amref works," Frances said.

On Monday she will be walking 13,000 steps, Tuesday trekking 19,000 paces, Wednesday cycling 30km, Thursday tackling 7,500 steps, and Friday taking on 11,500 strides.

This all adds up to 70km over five days - from May 13 to 17. This coincides with National Walking Month during May.

She added: "I'm taking on the Spring Step Challenge because everyone, everywhere, has the right to decent healthcare. Amref is helping to make that a reality across Africa, every day.

"I've witnessed the change in a whole community's health that a trained nurse, midwife or community health worker can deliver, so I'll be walking and cycling to raise money to train and support even more remarkable, life-changing women."

The government will also match fund all donations to Health in Her Hands until June 7.

Frances has been chief executive of Amref since 2015, but the charity was founded in 1957 by three doctors - Michael Wood, Archie McIndoe and Tom Rees.

Donate to Frances's challenge at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frances-longleyFind out more about Amref Health Africa UK at www.amrefuk.org