BBC newsreader Faith takes on horse riding challenge for Shrewsbury Food Hub
A BBC journalist is swapping the daily news updates for horse riding across Shropshire's picturesque landscapes to raise money for Shrewsbury Food Hub.
You might recognise newsreader Faith Page's name from BBC Radio Shropshire's daily news updates, but next month she will be trekking across the whole length of Shropshire over five days for charity.
Faith, who lives in Bomere Heath, is taking on a challenge with her horse of eight years, Marley, as part of Shrewsbury Food Hub's five-year anniversary.
From May 1 to 5, Faith will be adventuring across the county and taking in the sights, meaning a total of more than 30 hours on horseback, and is hoping to raise £1,000.
"A friend of mine mentioned she was fundraising for the food hub and I wanted to do something too," Faith said.
"The food hub is such a great charity, saving food from going to waste and feeding people who need it.
"Horse riding is my main hobby really, I started having lessons when I was seven years old and have been doing it on and off my whole life. I have had Marley for eight years now, he is 17 years old and and Irish sports horse."
Faith's journey will take her from the Welsh border, starting at Llanfair Waterdine, near Knighton, going through a couple of bridle ways and through Clun, Lydbury North, Church Stretton, then crossing over to Pontesbury, up to Ruyton XI Town and finally to Bettesfield at Clapping Gate Bridge.
She said: "As long as I don't get lost, it will be around 80 miles. I can't stay at hotels or anything due to Covid, so the first night I will be staying in the stables, then camping in my tent, living on pot noodles."
As well as raising money for charity, Faith wants to raise awareness of the importance of bridle ways and footpaths.
"I want to raise awareness of the bridle ways and footpaths here in Shropshire and how important they are for people in terms of mental health and exercising, especially in recent times," she said.
"To riders, bridle ways and these paths are so important as the roads get busier. Shropshire is such a beautiful place. It's going to be amazing.
"There are three things I'm worried about: the weather, Marley's feet and having to ride in a saddle for 30 hours. Normally I would be doing two or three-hour rides, but this will be at least six hours a day.
"When you discover Shropshire on horseback, it's just so different, it's amazing. In a car, you can't see over the hedgerows, but there is honestly no prettier place, it's gorgeous."
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/faith-page1 to donate to Faith's challenge.
