A REMARKABLE Salisbury woman was joined by some of Wiltshire’s leading names as part of efforts to raise money for charity.

Phyll celebrated her 100th birthday in July by completing her 200th walk around Salisbury Cathedral Close as a way to raise funds and awareness for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless (STFH).

While many would be content with that feat, Phyll was back on her feet and was joined this time with Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire – the King’s official representative in the county – and Lord Margadale, a Deputy Lieutenant, who owns the Fonthill Estate which covers 9,000 acres in south Wiltshire.

Past walking companions have included John Glen, the MP for Salisbury, and councillor Sven Hocking, the then Salisbury Mayor.

Dame Sarah said she “could not resist” the chance to meet the amazing woman who she had read all about.

She told Phyll: “What a tremendous achievement, your generosity is hugely appreciated and admired by everyone who knows you and thousands who do not.”

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Phyll’s walks have so far raised £12,249 for STFH.

Gordon Pardy, head of fundraising at STFH, who accompanied Dame Sarah and Lord Margadale to talk about the Trust’s work, said: “Phyll’s fundraising effort for STFH would be remarkable for someone of any age but for a person who recently celebrated her 100th birthday it is absolutely astonishing.

“STFH gets no financial support from central or local government so we are very grateful for her efforts.”

Phyll was born in Bideford, north Devon, and went to Exeter University before working as a teacher.

In 1949 she adventurously travelled by sea alone to Jamaica where she taught in a girl’s grammar school for three years.

After a brief spell in England, she took off again to Vancouver in western Canada before returning to the UK to look after her disabled mother.

Back home in Bideford, she carried on teaching, but was also a keen member of the local yacht club, becoming secretary and then Rear Commodore.

In 1985 she retired and the following year moved to Salisbury, where she became involved in a range of voluntary work – the Probation Service, Victim Support and University of the Third Age, for which she undertook senior roles at national level.

She was placed on the U3A Roll of Honour. She first became involved with STFH in 1998 and was chairman from 2004 to 2009.

To donate to Phyll’s fundraising efforts, visit her JustGiving page which will remain open until November 1.