A INTREPID 82-year-old Romsley woman has finished her 615-mile-long walk along the historic Monarch’s Way after taking up the challenge for charity.

Diana Gair, of Romsley Hill Grange, started the trek three years ago, in aid of suicidal depression research, walking stretches of the walk every few weeks.

The route, which King Charles II used to escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, runs from Worcester via Bristol and through Brighton, where Diana finished her walk.

Diana said: “Everyone has been so kind on my journey and it is something I will always remember. Some people hand me £5 out of their car windows some times while I’m walking.

"So far I’ve raised over £600, but I want to raise as much as possible.

Her aim is to raise over £100,000 for research into suicidal depression and is already planning her next cross-country trek.

She said: "I want to walk from Kings College in Cambridge to Christ Church and am busy working out all the routes I will need to take now.

“Suicidal depression is also very very important research, not only to the person who is ill, but to their families and friends.”

Diana, whose sister has suffered from depression, believes a lot of people suffer in silence with the disease.

She said: "I have been told many sad personal tales by people young and old that I have met while walking (usually alone) over the past three years.

"My own sister as well as a fellow member of our Ramblers group have both felt the force of that kind of depression.

"They think of it is as a taboo subject."

She added: "They don't realise that understanding and modern treatments are here to give them the strength to live and laugh again."

has set up a online donation page, visit www.crowdfunding.justgiving.com/diana-gair-suicidal-research-fund2015 for more information.