Telford man, 94, taking on 100-mile walking challenge

A man is planning to mark his 95th birthday by completing a 100-mile walking challenge for charity in memory of his wife.

Smudge Smith, who lives in Telford and is a regular walker, is doing it to support Severn Hospice and hopes to complete the challenge in 100 days.

His wife Margaret was cared for by the hospice in Bicton and since her death he has completed a number of fundraising walks to support it and other charities.

He plans to get out each day on one of his five pre-planned routes and he will be joined by friends and family including his children Diane, Sue and David.

Smith, who lives in the Ketley Bank area of Telford, set off on 3 July and aims to finish the challenge by his birthday on 14 October.

He said he had carefully chosen his routes “so they are not too hilly or bumpy” and would be getting out early, usually at about 06:30, so he could complete his walk before it got too hot.

“I only see the occasional dog walker,” he said.

Nicky Green, senior community fundraiser at Severn Hospice, said Smith was “an incredible man”.

She said the 94-year-old showed “how you can achieve something if you put your mind to it and age is no barrier to fundraising”.

Smith said: “I am always grateful to Severn Hospice for the sensitive and personalised care that they gave to my late wife.”

She was cared for after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and died in 2007.

Since then Smith has raised thousands of pounds for charities, including the hospice, the hospital where his wife was treated for cancer and for other charities close to their hearts.

He has already raised more than £1,000 through the online fundraising page he set up for the 100-mile challenge.