An amazing pensioner from Alton who founded a charity after overcoming a severe stroke is making a £3,000 pilgrimage in support of the hospital that treated her.

Sally Stoodley is on the fundraising trail as she’s determined to complete two pilgrim routes either side of the Bay of Biscay for the Royal County Hospital in Winchester.

The octogenarian is making great progress along the St James Way in her all-terrain mountain trike wheelchair with support from her daughter, husband and friends.

She’s due to get a traditional pilgrim’s blessing at Winchester Cathedral on midday this Saturday before heading to St Cross for the traditional fare of ale and bread.

It’s then on to Southampton before heading to Spain for a 50-mile section of the world-famous Santiago de Compostela trail in the north-western region of Galicia.

Sally wants to buy a hoist for the Twyford Stroke Unit while also raising awareness of her new Adversity to Adventure charity.

The charity’s name is also her mantra, as the pensioner and pilgrim has continually inspired with her energy and enthusiasm for life. After telling her family “I’m not ready to die” and going through rigorous rehabilitation, she’s now loving life on the trail.

She said: “We’re raising funds for a hoist for the hospital because when I was in there they had a shortage and people were waiting a long time to be transferred, so I’ve decided they need one.

“It’s been beautiful on the trail and it’s been lovely talking to so many people and being in the countryside. The Mountain Trike chair has made a huge difference.”

Sally hopes her ATA charity will be able to procure and lend Mountain Trike chairs to wheelchair users and people with mobility limitations so they can enjoy the outdoors.

For more details look for Sally Stoodley12 on Facebook.