Salisbury woman walking 100 miles in 100th year for city's homeless
99-year-old Phyll Babb is supporting Salisbury Trust for the Homeless
One of Salisbury's oldest people is making a hundred walks around the Cathedral Close in her 100th year.
99-year-old Phyll Babb is completing her century of walks in aid of the Salisbury Trust for the Homeless.
She's already made more than 80 of her targeted 100 and has vowed to surpass the century, continuing the walks until her 100th birthday in July.
Some of those Phyll has already walked with include Salisbury and South Wiltshire MP John Glen, Mayor of Salisbury Sven Hocking and former Mayor John Walsh.
We joined Phyll for walk 82, before sitting down for a chat.
"I hope that we do raise a lot of money between then and now. We've already raised quite a few thousand, so it's very, very rewarding," she said, before explaining that the charity is one close to her, having supported them for many years.
"I met the chairman of the Trust and said she needed some help with the night shelter. Would I sleep out there once a week?
"So I started doing that and then I got on the committee and then I started running bookstores to raise money and so on and so forth. I've just helped that charity all through, it's been a terrific charity."
The charity provides a place for people to stay until they are able to find work or permanent accommodation.
Big plans for milestone birthday
Phyll, a former teacher and probation worker, told us she looks back fondly on her time working with the future generations, saying it was a very rewarding time.
She recounted a visit to Jamaica where she'd taught for three years, where she bumped into some former students.
"I went back to visit after eight years, and it was super because I went out as I landed, one of the girls at the foot of the steps taking the landing board cards looked up at me and she said, 'oh, welcome back to Jamaica, Miss Babb!'".
"I went to the bank the next morning and there was a girl taking my bank cheques and helping me around, she said, 'oh, it's Miss Babb! And then she called back and there were three or four other girls who came running up, so it was a delight."
Plans for Phyll's big day in July are already arranged, with a big party set to be held at Sarum College.
She said: "I had to book ahead because you don't have accommodation if you don't book for well in advance.
"So I've already booked a hall for my 100th party and I'm going to have a buffet, but all the family will be invited and they've decided themselves that they're going to do the last walk around the close with me, which is super."