Suzanne Potts, 48, from Douglas, took on GNAAS’ Whirlybird Walkies challenge in May which involved walking a certain distance over the period of a month with a dog.

Suzanne decided to get involved in the challenge as part of her recovery after undergoing extensive and complex surgery to treat stage 4 endometriosis.

She said: “I used to do amateur strongwoman competitions pulling trucks and lifting heavy weights but after surgery I couldn’t train or do anything like that.

“Our good friend Laurie saw the advert regarding Whirlybird Walkies and suggested it to me. She gave me my first donation and that’s how it started.”

As a non-dog owner Suzanne ended up borrowing Laurie’s dog Rennie for some of the walks, as well as her other friends’ dogs.

For the times when she didn’t have a canine companion, she carried two Labrador toys in her backpack, in the spirit of Finlo and Alfie, who were Rennie’s brothers that sadly passed away a year ago.

Suzanne originally pledged to walk 60 miles but slowly increased it over the course of the month, eventually covering 160.53 miles by the end of May.

She said: “It was just pivotal to my recovery and gave me a purpose.”

Suzanne’s partner Richard Dickens joined her on some of these walks, where they often encountered strangers who kindly donated towards her fundraiser after hearing what she was doing.

She said: “We’d be walking in the middle of the Wirral and strangers would see a crazy lady with two toy dogs hanging out of her rucksack. They were intrigued to know what it was all about, and after coming up to speak to us a few of them donated.

“It was really important for us to get the miles in and promote the service, because it’s a lifeline for the Isle of Man and I don’t think people appreciate it enough.”

In total her efforts raised £1,274 for GNAAS, which relies on public donations to remain operational.

Suzanne, her partner Richard and Rennie recently travelled to GNAAS’ headquarters in Eaglescliffe, in the North East of England, as part of a short trip to the Peak District.

They were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Hangar 63, the charity’s new coffee house based at their HQ, and when word spread of their visit, they were given the opportunity to see the helicopter up close and meet one of GNAAS’ doctors.

Suzanne said: “We were just excited to come here and go to Hangar 63 and have a cup of tea and get a photo outside. We did not think in our wildest dreams that we would be able to have a tour.  So we were just blown away and thankful for the opportunity to meet doctor Alex, the charity’s wonderful staff and volunteers.  Everyone made us feel so welcome.

“GNAAS is such a pivotal charity for the Isle of Man, and it’s a lifesaver for many on the Island.”