Bosham woman undertaking a bus tour challenge for charity

Penny Ibbott, 74, is embarking on a tour around England on a bus, using only her concessionary bus pass.

Penny started her journey on Monday catching the 9.38am 700 Stagecoach Coachliner from Bosham to Portsmouth with plans of getting an X4 bus from Portsmouth to Southampton.

From there, Penny is planning to proceed in a clockwise direction around the edge of England, using only her concessionary bus pass.

Penny aims to be at Lands End by March 9, and from there see how far she can get around England on a modest budget and the kindness of friends and strangers alike.

Penny will be finding her accommodation spontaneously and in order to keep costs as low as possible has joined the Youth Hostel Association. Penny has firsthand experience of the vital work carried out by the hospice after it cared for her husband Geoff before he passed away three years ago.

A year after Geoff died, Penny started volunteering at one of St Wilfrid’s shops and has since become an ambassador for the hospice, helping to raise awareness.

Penny said, “I’m doing this for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, which is now located in brand new, purpose-built premises in Bosham, the village where I live.

“The loving care they provide for terminally ill patients is outstanding. I know, because my husband Geoff was one of them.

“This journey will give me a space to think about him, remember the life we led together and it’s really nice to do this part in memory of him too”.

Community fundraising manager Alex Burch said: “Penny hopes to get up to Hadrian’s wall and back and we wish her all the best.

“St Wilfrid’s Hospice is incredibly grateful to have supporters like Penny, prepared to take on challenges to help fund the £7.7million it takes for St Wilfrid’s to offer its services completely free to the public each year.”

Well-wishers can follow Penny’s journey on her facebook page @boomeronabus and donate at stwilfridsfundraisers.everydayhero.com/uk/boomer-on-a-bus-1