Couple walk to New Orleans

CRUISING . . . Peter and Lesley Lomas after completing their 150-mile sponsored trek around the decks of the cruise liner Oriana

A COUPLE walked to New Orleans and back — and clocked up less than 200 miles.

But it was no little-known short cut — Peter and Lesley Lomas walked every step on the way aboard a ship and it was all for charity.

The kind-hearted couple combined a holiday with a 150-mile trek around the decks, aiming to walk five miles a day to raise money for a new kitchen at their church, St Saviour’s in Shaw.

Back from their month-long break, they revealed they exceeded their daily target and completed the 150 miles by Madeira on the way back.

Mr Lomas said: “We kept on our daily walks and eventually reached 190 miles.

“If it hadn’t have been a little rough crossing the Bay of Biscay on the last day we may have reached 200 miles.

“Word soon went around the ship that we were on a sponsored walk and after we had reached our target we were invited up to meet the captain, in his private lounge.

“It was a fabulous cruise and the challenge made sure we got regular exercise and didn’t put on too much weight.”

The kitchen will cost around £700, with church members helping install it, but the couple had already raised £500 before saying “Bon Voyage”.

The cruise liner Oriana sailed from Southampton and also took in the Caribbean and Florida.

It’s the third time the couple have done a “Walking on Water” fundraiser — once walking 100 miles in 21 days.

Mr Lomas added: “It’s the only time I ever came back from a cruise lighter than when I went. Once we got into the routine we cracked it easily. As long as the sea is flat it’s easier than walking up Buckstones hill.”