A globetrotting Gorleston grandmother is staging a 60 mile sponsored walk for projects based in Palestine.Joan Donohoe, 61, was so inspired by what she found on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem that she pledged to raise money for good causes like a rehabilitation centre, where people are recovering from horrific injuries.

A globetrotting Gorleston grandmother is staging a 60 mile sponsored walk for projects based in Palestine.

Joan Donohoe, 61, was so inspired by what she found on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem that she pledged to raise money for good causes like a rehabilitation centre, where people are recovering from horrific injuries.

Mrs Donohoe, a tenant participation officer, is making a determined effort to walk to Walsingham with her son Simon Donohoe and friend Jeannette Charalambous over three days starting on October 5.

It means extra training for the mother of four and grandmother of seven who has always had a sense of adventure informed by her Catholic faith.

She will take the money raised to Palestine on her next trip at the end of October when she will join a group that is working with organisations like Peace Now and Women in Black.

Mrs Donohoe has been on two pilgrimages, each time visiting places off the holiday itinerary. She said: “We visited the university and spoke to students and we went to an orphanage. We also went to a rehabilitation hospital where one guy had half his head shot away. We were so inspired. We get annoyed if a traffic light goes red and they have to wait at checkpoints for hours only to be sent home again. We heard about one young man with a heart complaint who had had an operation but relapsed and died before he got to hospital.”

Describing Palestine she said: “This place is geographically breath-taking, architecturally awe inspiring, historically fascinating, spiritually uplifting and politically one of the saddest places on Earth but where there is a spark of hope.”

To sponsor Joan call 07788 901039 or email jid@great-yarmouth.gov.uk