Coast to coast for Luton homeless

Mila Shah, 52, a former Lea Manor High School pupil, along with walking team, the Desi Ramblers, organised the mission in May 2016.

The ramblers walked 100 miles from Bowness-on-Solway to Whitley Bay, by the North Sea, another group walking east to west. Four of the leaders completed both the original leg and the reverse, totting up 200 miles.

Mila was on the support team, helping to provide food for the hungry walkers, and the £60,000 raised from the challenge helped to pay for hampers and clothes for the homeless, in places including Luton, Watford and Brighton.

Mila said: “100 miles is nearly the equivalent of doing a marathon every day!

“My husband, Dhimant, completed the 200 miles. It was seaside to seaside - and I know people enjoyed the chips! I was helping to prepare food, including pasta, jacket potatoes and baked beans - lots of carbs and protein!

“Evening meals also included khichadi and we had a van to deliver their food in. We made sure to bring drinks and changes of clothes.”

Hampers went to Luton charity, NOAH Enterprise, on Monday, and the ramblers’ next goal is the Wainwright Memorial Walk in June.

Mila, who now lives in London, organised a walk up Barton Hill whilst she was a student at Barnfield College, along with the Oshwal Association of UK Jain Community, in aid of a boy in Luton and Dunstable Hospital.