LESS than two years ago she could barely walk due to severe arthritis – now a York woman is preparing to set off on an 1,800 mile fundraising trek to Rome.

Angela Michel, from Fulford, will set off on foot with her husband, Nicholas Warlow, on March 1.

After taking in six European countries, they hope to reach the Italian capital on August 31.

The adventure comes after Mrs Michel was given a new lease of life after undergoing a double hip replacement.

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.”

Mrs Michel, 56, 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: “We decided we wanted to walk for a long time. Neither of us have visited Rome and all roads lead there so we that’s where we decided to go.”

The couple have decided to make the walk an opportunity to raise money for the international medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres and have set up a Facebook page and a Just Giving site, which so far has brought in £1,000.

Mrs Michel said: “We aren’t competitive but we are active. Walking and cycling have always been the way we have preferred to get around.”

In order to travel light, the pair are not taking camping equipment with them, and have instead arranged through specialist websites to rely on local hospitality.

She said: “Let’s just see what happens. I’m just relying on the universe arranging itself favourably.”

Visit the couple’s Facebook page by logging on and searching for Sponsored Walk to Rome for Medicins Sans Frontieres.

The page also includes a link to the Just Giving site.