Intrepid York couple’s 1,900-mile charity trek (From York Press)

Intrepid York couple’s 1,900-mile charity trek

7:39am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

ONLY two years ago she was unable to walk because of arthritis – now a York woman has returned from a gruelling 1,900-mile charity walk to Rome.

Angela Michel, 56, set off from her Fulford home on March 1 with her husband Nick Warlow. On August 1 the couple finally arrived at the steps of the Vatican in Rome, after walking through Northern Europe, across the Alps and through Italy.

The marathon trek was only possible after Mrs Michel had a double hip replacement and she decided to raise money for the international medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres.

She said: “There were long days when we didn’t know where we would be sleeping, but it was all together a wonderful experience.

“It was hard going in places, but not because of the Alps. The heat in Italy was really hard going because it was getting towards 40C in the day.”

Mr Warlow, 60, said: “We both came back a lot fitter. I think Angela found it easier than me with her new hips. She was very pleased and even sent a postcard to her surgeon.”

Before the couple set off, Mrs Michel, a former teacher at York Steiner School, said she wanted to complete the trek in “celebration of walking” and to be able to walk with her husband who had helped her through her arthritis and the treatment.

She said: “I had three years where I could hardly walk. Late in the day I was diagnosed with advanced arthritis of the hips. I had both my hips replaced at York Hospital – now I have a new lease of life.”

The couple have so far raised £6,000, but still have a Facebook page where there are details on how to donate money.