A cancer survivor has walked 33 miles to fundraise for the Hertfordshire hospitals that saved her life.

Linda Pottinger, 62, has raised over £5,800 for the West Herts Hospitals Charity after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2023 and underwent life-saving surgery at Watford General.

On Wednesday, March 6, she started her trek at the Watford hospital at 6am and visited every institution that helped her in her recovery.

The circular route, which took over 10 hours to complete, took her to the Mount Vernon, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals, and OSD Healthcare centre.

Watford Observer: Linda, with Watford General staff and general surgeon Drostan Cheetham (third from R) after completing her walk.Linda, with Watford General staff and general surgeon Drostan Cheetham (third from R) after completing her walk. (Image: West Herts Hospitals Charity)

Linda was joined by West Herts staff and the lead surgeon who treated her, Mr Drostan Cheetham, on the last four miles home.

The former police officer, who lives in Berkhamsted, walked more than 550 miles for 150 hours to prepare for the trek.

She said she is "eternally grateful" for the money donated to her Just Giving page and hopes it provides care "for the next person who walks through the door at West Herts Hospitals with bowel cancer". 

Watford Observer: Linda en-route during her 33-mile trek.Linda en-route during her 33-mile trek. (Image: West Herts Hospitals Charity)

The cancer survivor has praised the hospital staff who treated her, saying they showed “empathy and humanity in spades". 

“I was blessed to be in the safe hands of this wonderful team of human beings - they were professional, kind and compassionate with a sense of humour that I thrived on," she added. "I made a swift recovery post surgery and came home just three days later.”

Linda lost a friend to stage four bowel cancer in December 2022, but had no idea she too had the life-threatening condition.

During a colonoscopy in June last year, doctors found a malignant tumour in her large intestine that had been pooling blood for over a year.

Watford Observer: The former-police officer visited every hospital that helped her in her recovery journey.The former-police officer visited every hospital that helped her in her recovery journey. (Image: West Herts Hospitals Charity)

Explaining how “fortunate” she feels to be cured, Linda wants to raise awareness over the condition so more people receive cancer screenings to catch it as soon as possible.

West Herts Hospitals Charity CEO Alison Rosen said they were “deeply thankful” for Linda’s support.

"Linda has shown great resilience and bravery, undertaking this epic fundraising walk just eight months after major surgery," she said. "Linda's dedication and fundraising efforts are truly remarkable.

“Her inspiring journey and commitment to giving back to the hospital that cared for her are a testament to our amazing healthcare heroes.”