Care levy mustn’t make poverty crisis

JUDY ON CHALLENGE OF SOCIAL CARE TAX

On the topic of feisty females, how about the pensioner who made the news this week alongside her pony, Diamond, and disabled Jack Russell named Dinky? Every year, Jane Dotchin packs her saddlebags onto her trusty steed and sets off from her home near Hexham, Northumberland, on an epic 600-mile trek to Inverness, covering between 15 and 20 miles a day. The 80-year-old has been making the pilgrimage every year since 1972 – only once taking her bike, rather than pony or horse, and that was due to the foot and mouth crisis in 2001. She carries all of her equipment, including tent, food and a few belongings.

I read every word of Jane’s incredible story as I was so in awe of her determination. Not only does she travel the back roads without using a map, she only carries an old mobile phone for emergencies and, as you can imagine, getting a signal can be something of an issue. She is certainly proof that age is just a number, and I can only hope I have even half her drive when I’m her age. Someone get this lady a book deal for her memoir. Pronto.