A HARWICH woman who has had daily anxiety for over a decade is raising money for charity by walking 100 miles in one month – and is already reaping the rewards.

Katie Taylor, 39, said that Mind is a charity that is very close to her heart as “someone who suffers with the struggle of anxiety on a daily basis”.

She said: “I’m using their powerful message and ethos as motivation to overcome my personal struggles and go out of my comfort zone.

“I want people to know there is help out there and no matter what, do not let the big wide world get in the way of your living.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Family - (Left to right) Kayden, 9, Amelia, 16, and Riley, 15Family - (Left to right) Kayden, 9, Amelia, 16, and Riley, 15 (Image: Submitted)

Katie revealed that walking 100 miles over the 31 days of March was particularly a big deal for her because she only goes out in the car or only to the shops and added: “The first three days I was petrified.

“The more I have walked though, the more I feel calm.

"So doing that little walk has been tremendous.”

Katie walks roughly about 3.2 miles each day and normally at 4pm when her three children get home from school.

Each walk takes over an hour and has been an enjoyable group activity – improving physical and mental health.

Katie added that her daughter told her this week that she was not so stressed out, while her partner and her own mum have been encouraging her to fundraise.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Enjoyable - Katie Taylor said that the walking was now an enjoyable activity for both herself and her childrenEnjoyable - Katie Taylor said that the walking was now an enjoyable activity for both herself and her children (Image: Submitted)

Mind has given out a fundraising t-shirt and at £150 raised would give out a medal, a goal for Katie to work towards.

While Katie said she was glad all the money raised on the online go-fund-me page will go directly to Mind because the charity had been doing “such amazing work” particularly since lockdown which Katie said was a tough time for all.

Fundraising itself has been exciting for Katie, who added: “People don’t understand how there’s excitement, nervousness and everything all rolled into this for me.

“This is a big boost for me. This can be a start of getting out the shell I have been in for so long.”

To donate visit here Katie Taylor is fundraising for Mind (justgiving.com)