SHE was advised to stop during her mammoth 310- mile mission but the CEO of a Basingstoke charity powered through and completed her gruelling challenge last Friday.

Gerrie Jordan, the chief executive of Basingstoke-based charity Taking Steps, embarked on a 310-mile tour of Hampshire on August 3 to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to let victims know that if she could walk to their town, the charity can support them.

According to the charity, domestic abuse affects a staggering one in four women and one in six men.

The challenge saw the mother-of-four walk to a number of locations across Hampshire, including Farnborough, Aldershot, Fareham, Southampton and Eastleigh from the Taking Steps office in Branton Close, South Ham.

And Gerrie, who is 49, got a warm reception from her family, friends and the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Anne Court, when she finished her challenge at Basingstoke Golf Club last Friday.

Gerrie told The Gazette: “It had its good moments and it had its bad moments but it was more good than bad. I think there were certain areas such as Andover that were very hilly and that took it out of me a bit.

“There were moments that I had problems with my legs and at one point it was touch and go whether I would be able to continue.

“I sought medical attention and they told me to stop but it was something I needed to do and it eventually sorted itself out.”

As well as testing her physical ability, the 310-mile walk over three weeks meant that she was able to speak to people affected by domestic abuse.

The 49-year-old added: “In one area, which I won’t name, one person said ‘we don’t have that here’ which obviously made me think that this is an area we need to get to a lot of people.

“It is amazing – and it just shows the figures are very true.

“What I have learnt is that there is not enough out there for domestic abuse.

“I walked in and around Hampshire but still people don’t know enough about the Taking Steps project.”

It is hoped that the mission will generate £10,000 for each of the 20 towns that Gerrie visited, which will enable the charity to provide support and a 24-hour helpline.

For more information, visit takingstepsproject.com. Or to donate text GTSP15 £ (the amount) to 70070.