A VOLUNTEER dog walker is embarking on a mammoth hike to raise funds for the RSPCA.

Wendy Wakefield, 55, is due to set out from St Bees in Cumbria on Thursday (June 23) and walk 192-miles on the Coast to Coast walk to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

Wendy has been a volunteer dog walker and adoption home visitor for 11 years with the RSPCA’s Great Ayton Animal Centre. She decided to raise funds for the centre after she rehomed two of its dogs, Billy, a lurcher and Jemima, a bloodhound.

Billy was abandoned at four-months-old in a cold yard and found close to death, while Jemima was found living caged in her own faeces on a puppy farm.

Now the dogs are happy and healthy, they will join her on some of the home straights of the walk across the Cleveland Hills to the coast.

Wendy, of Great Ayton, said: “It is the first time I have ever done anything like this. It will be hard but I am looking forward to it.

“The RSPCA rescues animals from lives of pain and distress and I am so grateful to them and proud of their work.

“We have adopted and fostered various dogs from RSPCA Great Ayton and they have enriched our lives.

“In fact, if it wasn’t for them, I would not be fit enough to attempt this walk.”

RSPCA Great Ayton takes in neglected and abused animals from RSPCA inspectors and provides care, rehabilitation and eventual rehoming to hundreds of animals every year.

Wendy is aiming to raise money for toys that can reduce boredom and stress, as well as agility equipment to provide mental and physical stimulation for the cats and dogs.

To donate to Wendy’s fundraising walk, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wendywakefieldwalk4RSPCAGtAyton