AN SHANKLIN woman is still determined to walk around the Isle of Wight – despite missing out on the main event when her mother was rushed to hospital.

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

The aim is to repay the charity’s kindness by raising funds, after all it did to ensure her dad was comfortable at home at his life's end.

The challenge will see Penny, 40, walk around the Island — a distance of 71 miles — in memory of her father, Dr John Smith, a highly respected consultant and head of pathology at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

You can still make a donation by visiting Penny's JustGiving page, which has already raised more than £1,000.

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

"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 was set to complete the feat a couple of months ago, but a family emergency put paid to that plan.

“Unfortunately, after a lung lobectomy, my mother suffered severe complications in the early hours, and I had to abandon all hopes of starting, and rush to Southampton,” said Penny, a former veterinary nurse. 

“She has had a terrible time and is now about to undergo chemotherapy, so understandably life has been put on hold. 

“But I am so honoured by everyone’s generosity to my cause, and have booked myself another date to complete this challenge on my own, rather than as part of an organised event.”

Penny plans to start on Friday, July 28, from Shanklin, walking through the night and finishing sometime between 1pm and 3pm the following day, at The Salix Beach Cafe.

“Let’s hope the floating bridge is working at 5am,” said Penny.