Norwich: Louisa Dye finishes 500-mile Proclaimers challenge

Although exhausted with shin splits, swollen toes and barely able to wear a pair of shoes, the Sprowston mum-of-two is celebrating after finishing her 500-mile walking challenge on Friday.

Inspired by her favourite tune of the same name by Scottish duo The Proclaimers, who wished her well on her way, Louisa took on marathon-length distances throughout the month of March to reach her goal.

Louisa with her husband Roger, children Henry and Emily and nephew Cameron on her final walk on March 31 (Image: Louisa Dye)

"It's been insane," she said.

"It was really painful at points.

"Halfway through the month, I got shin splints so badly I couldn't stand the next day, but it didn't even cross my mind to have a day off.

Louisa with four-year-old cockapoo Stanley (Image: Louisa Dye)

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"Weirdly I was in so much pain, I just carried on.

"Waving the white flag or throwing in the towel? No. Something just takes over and you get on with it."

Louisa Dye walked 500 miles across the month of March (Image: Louisa Dye)

Over the month she burned 34,912 calories and took 1,127,377 steps.

As well as being a physical feat, Louisa shared the emotional rollercoaster her month-long adventure was.

She said: "One day I'd be laughing and in tears and others I'd just be crying because I was so overwhelmed.

"I couldn't share it with my parents which was heavy. But seeing my face in papers and thinking of them has carried me through.

"I've documented every step of the way. It's amazing to look back and see how far I've come."

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Joking about the convenience of her husband Roger running Dye's Pharmacy and having an almost endless supply of plasters to hand, Louisa shared that before pounding the pavement it would take her more than 20 minutes to wrap her feet, take painkillers and muster the strength to wince and put her trainers on through the pain.

Louisa Dye's parents Christine and Stuart Clarke, both of whom she lost to cancer (Image: Louisa Dye)

Her challenge in aid of the oncology unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) has raised more than £6,500 - with her JustGiving page staying open until May 1.

Her challenge was inspired by the loss of her parents Stuart and Christine Clarke to cancer, who were both treated at the facility before their deaths in 2006 and 2020 respectively.

She celebrated the end of her challenge with a party with the DJ instructed to play 500 Miles as much as possible.