Four mums are walking 97km – the equivalent of conquering Kilimanjaro - to raise money in memory of a friend Steph who died very suddenly aged 48 in January.

Charlotte Glover, Kate Titterton, Tracey Manley and Charlotte Hughes are raising money for SeeSaw, an Oxfordshire charity which provides support for children, young people and families when they have been bereaved or when somebody close is terminally ill.

SeeSaw has supported Steph’s children, George and Maddy, 10 and 11, over the last six months.

Mrs Hughes met Steph Ormonde when their boys started at The Blake School in 2014.

She said: “Steph was a very warm, caring and fun loving person, she would always go out of her way for her family, friends and neighbours.

“She was originally from Liverpool but moved down to Oxfordshire about 20 years ago and met her husband Andy in Witney when she worked at Nationwide.

“She was so loved by everyone and always had a 'Hi-di-hi' for everyone on our morning walks to and from school. Those little 'Hi-di-hi's' could make the difference to someone's day.”

Sadly Steph passed away very suddenly in January following a heart attack.

Mrs Hughes said: “She had been fit and well so it was an incredible shock and for Andy and the kids their world changed overnight.”

It was the school that put them in touch with SeeSaw and an earlier “crazy challenge” sparked an idea of how the friends could raise cash to support the charity.

Mrs Hughes recalled: “Back in 2016, from memory, at the school quiz after a few glasses of bubbles our friend Kerry suggested climbing Ben Nevis at night for the Alzheimer’s Society.

“The climb was full of laughter, giggles, tears and fear, we arrived at the top it was pitch black, there was no view and we were shattered but we did it.

Witney Gazette: Charlotte Glover, Kate Titterton, Tracey Manley and Charlotte Hughes

“Every time we would sign up for something afterwards although it would be greeted with a 'No thank you!' Steph would always support us and say 'why don't we make a weekend of it ?'

“So this weekend we have decided, let's do just that.”

Tomorrow (Sat) they are walking around Clanfield, followed by the Tews and closer to Witney on Sunday.

Mrs Hughes said: “On Sunday we will have a drink at The Elm Tree in Witney and raise a glass to Stephie as it is her birthday on Monday.”

The group also want to raise funds for a picnic bench in her memory on Wadards Meadow where they would all sit most days after school.

“We would also go there religiously for the annual end of term shenanigans with all the children - next week will be the first one without her,” said Mrs Hughes.

The friends are also holding a cake sale and raffle at the Woolgate Shopping Centre on July 29 from 10.30 -13.30 and ask that people come with cakes they can sell or to buy.

To view the GoFundMe, visit: https://uk.gf.me/v/c/p7q9/stephs-walking-mums